Yokohama F Marinos target strong finish after Hoang Anh Gia Lai masterclass

A team performance saw F Marinos defeat a spirited Hoang Ang Gia Lai (HAGL) 2-0 on Thursday, with the three points keeping the Japanese at the top of the standings.

Marcos Junior’s penalty and a header from Shinnosuke Hatanaka ensured F Marinos go into the final round of Group H matches in pole position and captain Takuya Kida said F Marinos will again be at their best against two-time winners Jeonbuk, which the Korea Republic side have to win to finish top and take the sole automatic ticket to the Round of 16.

The result keeps BG Pathum United two points clear of the A-League champions on top of Group G after five of six Matchdays, with a victory over Jeonnam Dragons on Saturday to secure top spot in the section.

The path is trickier for Melbourne City, who can still leapfrog the Rabbits, particularly if they win their final match against United City, but will potentially need results in other groups to fall in their favour if they finish second, with only the best three runners-up in the East Zone to advance.

Having collected just the single point in their opening two matches, Ulsan were staring at the prospect of an early exit with defeat to their Japanese opponents almost certain to seal their passage home.

But an impressive run of three successive wins has propelled Ulsan into second place and Leonardo, who was instrumental in all three of his side’s goals – scoring Ulsan’s opener before assisting Um Won-sang and Vako Qazaishvili – is brimming with confidence as the Horangi head into their final winner-takes-all battle against Johor Darul Ta’zim on Saturday.