Melbourne Victory’s chances of progressing to the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League have received another boost after K-League side Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma scored a 1-0 win over 10-man Beijing Guoan.
The results means bottom-placed Melbourne is only three points behind second-placed Beijing in Group E with two preliminary matches remaining and sets up a huge clash between the two sides in Melbourne on April 14.
The Victory beat Kawasaki Frontale 1-0 to post their first points of the campaign on Wednesday night.
Mauricio Molina scored the only goal for Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, which has now advanced to the round of 16, in what was its fourth victory from as many matches for the tournament.
The home side had defender Zhang Yonghai sent-off for hand ball with 15 minutes remaining and Molina struck from the resulting free-kick as Beijing was made to pay for wasting a string of chances.
Seongnam also finished the game with 10-men as Sasa Ogenovski was dismissed in stoppage time after picking up a second yellow.
Al Shabab went top of Group C as Flavio struck twice in a 3-2 victory over Al Ain at King Fahd International Stadium.
Sepahan picked up its first win of the tournament as two goals in two second-half minutes settled a dull encounter with Pakhtakor 2-0 at Foolad Shahr Stadium.
Esteghlal retained top spot in Group A after it came from behind to draw 1-1 with Al Gharafa at Al Gharafa Stadium.
Brazilian striker Victor netted a brace of headers as Al Ahli continued its recovery with a 2-0 win over Al Jazira at Mohamed Bin Zayid Stadium in a game where both sides were reduced to 10 men.
K-League side Suwon Bluewings secured a place in the last 16 with a 2-0 win over China’s Henan Jianye.
Gamba Osaka moved to the verge of joining Suwon in the knockout stage after ending Singapore Armed Forces’ campaign with a 3-0 win at Expo ’70 Commemoration Park Stadium.
