Yasuto Wakizaka scored twice and there were goals for Ao Tanaka and Leandro Damiao but, with Shanghai SIPG claiming all three points in their meeting with Ulsan Hyundai, the Japanese club finished third in Group H and were left to wonder what might have been for another year.

“The performances at home take on extra significance in the AFC Champions League,” said Oniki, who has guided the club to back-to-back domestic titles. “That's what I learned from this tournament.

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.

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.

Both teams had already been eliminated prior to their last group game with Lokomotiv sitting third with four points, while Al Rayyan were bottom of the group with three points from their 2-1 win in the reverse fixture.

The visitors got off to a flying start, taking the lead within just 57 seconds of kick-off. Lokomotiv players looked shaky in possession as they attempted to build up from the back, allowing Al Rayyan players to apply pressure high up the field.

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.