The former Chelsea star claimed a hat-trick in a virtuoso display for the Chinese Super League champions, who claimed second place in Group H at the expense of J.League champions Kawasaki Frontale.

The win means Shanghai will take on Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the next round and Pereira was delighted with his team’s performance.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With a Round of 16 place already in the bag, Al Duhail opted to rest the likes of Medhi Benatia and Almoez Ali. They were also without the services of injured defender Bassam Al Rawi.

With the first clear-cut chance of the game, Al Ain took the lead through Marcus Berg 13 minutes in. The Swedish international striker brought the ball over the halfway line before supplying it to Bandar Al Ahbabi wide on the right.

Berg then charged into the penalty box to get on the end of Al Ahbabi’s return pass and apply a composed first-time finish through the legs of Seyed Hosseini for the opening goal.