AFC Champions League

AFC Champions League: Muangthong United and Urawa Reds advance to Round of 16

An understrength Brisbane Roar proved no match for Muangthong United, as the Thai side booked their place in the AFC Champions League round of 16 with an impressive 3-0 win on Wednesday.

A goal shortly after the half-hour mark from Xisco put the home side in command, and Chanathip Songkrasin rounded substitute keeper Tomislav Bilic to walk the ball into an empty net to double the lead for Muangthong.

Teerasil Dangda sealed the deal late in the game as Muangthong sailed into the round of 16 with a game in hand.

Ulsan Hyundai suffered a damaging defeat that ended their hopes of qualifying from Group E, as Kashima Antlers thrahsed them 4-0 at the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium last night.

After a goalless first-half, the J1 League champions sprung into life with four goals after the break. Midfielder Mu Kazanaki grabbed a brace, while Brazilian duo Pedro Junior and Leo Silva bagged a goal apiece.

As it stands, Muangthong are top of the group with 11 points, with Kashima trailing behind at 9 points. Ulsan Hyundai and Brisbane Roar are eliminated with just 4 points apiece.

Muangthong need just a draw from their final game against Kashima to secure top stop in Group E.

Meanwhile, in Group F, Urawa Red Diamonds and Shanghai SIPG also booked their places in the next round after comprehensive victories against Western Sydney Wanderers and FC Seoul.

The goals were scored for the Reds by Takahiro Sekine, Yoshiaki Komai, Tadanari Lee, Shinzo Koroki and a brace by Rafael Silva. For Wanderers, Jumpei Kusukami got their solitary goal.

FC Seoul enjoyed a dream start with Brazilian Maurinho finding the back of the net in the tenth minute.

Hulk drove the ball home from 30 yards out to equalise in the 25th minute and Zhang Wei made no mistake in front of goal to give Shanghai the lead just five minutes later, courtesy of the assist from Hulk.

Wu Lei gave the hosts a 3-1 lead at the break after catching Seoul stopper Yoo Hyun out of position.

Park Chu-Young gave FC Seoul some hope when he pulled one back in the 70th minute, but Oscar restored Shanghai’stwo-goall cushion just four minutes after Chu-Young’s strike.

Urawa and Shanghai are currently Group F’s leaders with 12 points each, while FC Seoul and Sydney Wanderers are eliminated.