ACL Elite: Shandong Taishan defeat Gwangju, Shanghai Port lose to Vissel Kobe

Shandong Taishan gave themselves a real chance of reaching the round of 16 in the AFC Champions League Elite, following a 3-1 win over South Korean side Gwangju on Tuesday at home, with all of the goals coming in the first half.

This encounter was one of the penultimate group stage games in the East, and Chinese Super League (CSL) club Shandong went in front in the 16th minute, when Valeri Qazaishvilli was picked out unmarked to confidently finish and make it 1-0.

Taishan doubled their lead to 2-0 in the 33rd minute, when Brazil's Zeca scored his first goal for the hosts. Two minutes later, Lee Min-ki pulled one back for Gwangju off a deflected effort that seemed to visit space first, before going into the back of the net.

Shandong's two-goal lead was restored in first half stoppage time, as another Brazilian Cryzan was on target, and 3-1 was the final score.

Gwanju have already qualified for the knockout phase and sit in fourth place in the 12-team group. Taishan rank sixth and need to win their last match next week to guarantee being one of the eight teams that reach the last 16.

Elsewhere, Shanghai Port suffered a 4-0 loss at Vissel Kobe, despite goalkeeper Yan Junling saving a penalty kick. Yuya Osako, Koya Yuruki, Yuya Kuwasak and Yoshinori Muto were on target for the Japanese hosts, who cruised into the knockout phase.