Wakizaka opened the scoring after just nine minutes at Jubilee Stadium, with Kawasaki needing to better Shanghai SIPG’s result against Group H winners Ulsan Hyundi to qualify for the knockout stage.

But despite Wakizaka and Ao Tonaka adding further goals before half-time and Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao in the second half, Shanghai’s 5-0 win over Ulsan meant it was the Chinese Super League side who advanced as Group H runners-up.

With a win guaranteeing Shanghai a place in the knockout stage, Oscar opened the scoring at the Shanghai Stadium after just seven minutes before doubling the home side’s lead just before half-time.

Kazuki Nagasawa, a first-half sub for the injured Yosuke Kashiwagi, ignited the Reds by scoring the opener and assisting Yuki Muto for the second before half-time. Shinzo Koroki ensured all three points with a late third for Urawa, who punched the second ticket out of Group G into the Round of 16.

The result mattered little, however as Jeonbuk had already sealed their spot in the next phase of the competition as Group G winners ahead of kick-off and Jose Morais’ side will next face Chinese Super League champions Shanghai SIPG in the Round of 16 next month.

The 2006 and 2016 champions were made to battle for the point at Jeonju World Cup Stadium against a Buriram United side looking to notch up a second win in a row against the K League side after their victory in Thailand on Matchday Two.

The 39-year-old midfield genius, who helped Spain win the World Cup in 2010 and won four UEFA Champions League titles and eight La Liga titles with Barcelona, was cheered by fans at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran where already-eliminated Persepolis produced an improved display to register only their second win in six matches.

Kim scored the third goal against the Chinese Super League team on Matchday Two as tournament debutants Daegu claimed a 3-1 victory and underlined their status as genuine qualification contenders with the scalp of the two-time champions.

Just over two months on and Daegu travel to Tianhe Stadium two points ahead of their hosts in the battle for the group’s runners-up spot and knowing if they avoid defeat, a place in the last 16 will be theirs.

Four places have already been decided as Shandong Luneng, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Ulsan Hyundai and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors all secured a spot in the knockout stages a fortnight ago.

But four tickets to the last 16 still remain up for grabs for the teams from the East Zone, with some exciting encounters set for Tuesday and Wednesday.