Soccer-Asian Champions League holders Kashima slip to defeat

Kashima Antlers missed out on the chance to secure their place in the knockout rounds of the Asian Champions League on Wednesday as the holders slipped to a 1-0 defeat by Gyeongnam FC. Kashima, who won the title for the first time last year, would have advanced to the last 16 with a win over the K-League side. However, a goal from Takahiro Kunimoto left Go Oiwa's side second in Group E on seven points with two games remaining. "We will need to look at ourselves hard in the mirror," said Kashima's Ryota Nagaki.

"We wanted to win tonight and go through but all we can do now is turn our sights to the next match. "We made tons of mistakes we shouldn't have so there will be a lot of adjustments to make on our behalf." Shandong Luneng leapt into top spot on eight points as Graziano Pelle's sixth goal of the campaign sealed a 1-0 win for the Chinese Super League side over Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim. Gyeongnam are third on five points. It was a disappointing night, too, for Japan's other representative in the competition as Urawa Red Diamonds were handed a 2-1 defeat by two-time champions Jeonbuk Motors from South Korea.

Shinzo Koroki scored 13 minutes into the second half to give Oswaldo Olivieria's team hope after Ricardo Lopes and Kim Shin-wook had put Jeonbuk in front, but the J-League side were unable to find an equaliser. The result means Urawa drop to third in Group G with four points, leaving Jeonbuk in top spot on nine and Beijing Guoan in second with seven after their 2-0 win over Thailand's Buriram United.

In the west, Zob Ahan are on the verge of qualifying for the last 16 from Group A after a 2-0 win over Al Wasl from the United Arab Emirates. The Iranians are now on 10 points, four more than second-placed Al Nassr from Saudi Arabia, who won 2-1 against Iraq's Al Zawraa. Al Hilal top Group C with nine points following their 1-0 win over Esteghlal from Iran after Sebastian Giovinco's 51st minute goal. Qatar's Al Duhail are second on seven points as they beat former champions Al Ain from the UAE 2-0. The result leaves Al Ain rooted to the bottom of the standings with two points from their four games. Esteghlal are third on four points.