The hosts knew they needed a win to enhance their qualification hopes and Munoz’s side were on the front foot from early in proceedings.

Shuichi Gonda pulled off a fine save in the 13th minute, dropping to his right to redirect Guilherme’s attempt wide for a corner after Bergson da Silva’s clever flick had found his teammate in space to shoot towards goal.

Jean Patric’s strike from distance caused issues for JDT’s Andoni Zubiaurre in the 20th minute, the skidding effort ricocheting wide for a corner off the Spaniard’s wrist. Zubiaurre then shovelled a second attempt by the Brazilian away before Kaito Yamada shot wide.

Nene thought he had given JDT the lead with six minutes left in the half but his strike into the bottom corner was ruled out by VAR due to offside to frustrate the home supporters.

Bergson shot wide as JDT made a lively start after the interval and the hosts saw another attempt cancelled out by the officials when Guilherme netted in the 57th minute, but the forward was fractionally offside.

Bergson scuffed his attempt against the outside of the post moments later while the Japanese club hit the woodwork at the other end in the 71st minute, substitute Kento Hamasaki clipping the right post after Jean Patric’s pace exposed the JDT defence.

It was at the other end that the opening goal finally came, with the home side outpacing and outmuscling their visitors.

Jairo, introduced for Bergson, bullied Boniface Nduka out of possession 30 yards from goal and then rolled the ball to his left for Guilherme to score for the second AFC Champions League Elite match in a row, sealing the win as Nduka hit the post with a late header.