China's Tianjin Quanjian thwarted a late challenge from Kashiwa Reysol of Japan to secure passage to the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League with a 3-2 win in their final Group E campaign on Wednesday. 

Even though they were knocked out of the competition before playing the game in Tianjin, the Japanese side put up a strong challenge against the home side.

Pressing for a win in their own backyard, Tianjin came out firing on all cylinders from the word go and, much to the delight of the home crowd, clinched the lead when a volley from Zhao Xuri was deflected in after 24 minutes. Six minutes later, Zhao struck again as his first-half brace doubled the lead for the hosts.

The Japanese club then pulled one back with a counter-attack in the 39th minute as Kei Koizumi scored from a rebound after Ramon Lopes hit the post.

Tianjin, however, regained their aggression and added their third as Yang Xu headed home from a Chu Jinzhao’s cross in the 64th minute. But the match wasn’t over yet and Kashiwa reduced the lead thanks to a Yusuke Segawa goal in the 69th minute.

The scoreline remained struck at 3-2 till the final whistle was blown. Tianjin will meet domestic rivals Guangzhou Evergrande in the round of 16 next month.

Meanwhile, in a Group F game, a second-half header from Jai Ingham clinched Melbourne Victory a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Shanghai SIPG on Wednesday. With the home side already eliminated and Shanghai SIPG guaranteed to finish top of Group F, the final scoreline didn’t change the group league standings. Shanghai SIPG now look forward to a round of 16 clash against Japanese heavyweights Kashima Antlers next month.