Soccer-Nagoya beat JDT to move into Asian Champions League last 16

Russian striker Stanislav Iljutchenko scored twice for the 2006 and 2016 winners, who are now four points clear of Gamba Osaka, after the Japanese side were held to a second consecutive 1-1 draw by Chiangrai United. Felipe Amorim gave the Thais the lead after six minutes before Brinner's own goal levelled the scores nine minutes after the restart when Shinya Yajima's shot hit the Brazilian and looped over Apirak Worawong.

Nagoya Grampus became the first team from east of the continent to confirm their place in the knockout rounds of the Asian Champions League when they beat Johor Darul Ta'zim 2-1 in Bangkok on Sunday to wrap up first place in Group G.

Only the five group winners are guaranteed to advance to the last 16 in the newly expanded competition, which features 40 clubs this season, with the three runners-up in the east Asian groups with the best records also qualifying. Brazilian striker Mateus gave Nagoya the perfect start against the Malaysian champions when he scored from the penalty spot in the fourth minute, and Hiroyuki Abe added a second 24 minutes later.

Ramadhan Saifullah halved the deficit three minutes before the interval, but Nagoya held on to record a fifth straight win and seal top spot ahead of Pohang Steelers with one game left. The South Koreans were held to a 0-0 draw by Ratchaburi to remain in second place on 10 points, and the three-time Asian champions will need to win against Nagoya on Wednesday to boost their hopes of progressing.

Former champions Jeonbuk Motors further enhanced their chances of topping Group H in Tashkent with a 4-0 win over Singapore's Tampines Rovers. Russian striker Stanislav Iljutchenko scored twice for the 2006 and 2016 winners, who are now four points clear of Gamba Osaka, after the Japanese side were held to a second consecutive 1-1 draw by Chiangrai United.

Felipe Amorim gave the Thais the lead after six minutes before Brinner's own goal levelled the scores nine minutes after the restart when Shinya Yajima's shot hit the Brazilian and looped over Apirak Worawong. However, Apirak made a pair of reflex saves in injury time to guarantee his side a share of the points and keep them in the hunt for a spot in the next round.

Jeonbuk lead the group with 10 points while Gamba are on six and Chiangrai sit a further point behind with two games remaining. Matches involving teams from east Asia are currently being played in biosecure hubs in Thailand and Uzbekistan, with the group phase of the competition in the west of the continental championship already completed in April.

The Round of 16 is scheduled to be played in September with the final slated to be held in late November.

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