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Shandong into last 16, Guangzhou suffer early exit

Xinhua, April 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

Diego Tardelli's only goal of the game helped Shandong Luneng book a place of the last 16 of the AFC Champions League with a 1-0 win over Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Group F on Wednesday and in turn eliminated their opponents.

Brazilian striker Tardelli broke the ice for the hosts in the 10th minute as he headed Zheng Zheng's free kick into the net. The Chinese Super League side sealed the second place behind South Korea's FC Seoul, who claimed top spot with a 2-1 win against Thailand's Buriram United. Shandong Luneng returned to the knockout stage for the first time since 2005.

Big-spender Jiangsu Suning smashed Becamex Binh Duong 3-0 at home and moved into the second place in Group E.

Brazilian playmaker Alex Teixeira had a part in all three goals for the hosts as Wu Xi opened the scoring after just six minutes before Jo added a second shortly after.

Jiangsu's dominance lessened in the second period but they still added a third with 10 minutes remaining through substitute Ji Xiang.

With Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors also defeating FC Tokyo by the same scoreline, though, the group is tightly poised ahead of the final round of group stage fixtures in a fortnight's time with just two points separating leaders Jeonbuk and third placed FC Tokyo.

While a goalless draw between Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan and Sydney FC from Australia in group H ensured both teams to qualify for the last 16 and eliminated defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande as well as Pohang Steelers from South Korea.

Guangzhou Evergrande's early exit made a worst record in their five-time AFC Champions League, as they were knocked out in the quarterfinals twice and claimed the champions in 2013 and 2015. Endite