Guangzhou Evergrande sealed a ticket to the AFC Champions League Round of 16 with a 1-0 victory over Daegu FC of South Korea at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou on Wednesday night.

Evergrande, who won Asia's premier league club competition in 2013 and 2015, were scoreless until an own goal from Daegu side's Jeong Tae-wook.

At the 64th minute, Evergrande's Brazilian forward Paulinho tried to make a header from Huang Bowen's corner, but Daegu's Jeong "stole the opportunity" in defense to give the Chinese Super League (CSL) powerhouse a one-point advantage in Group F.

At the same time, Shandong Luneng, the Group E leader, offered Kashima Antlers of Japan the chance to advance with a 2-1 loss. Manchester United former midfielder Marouane Fellaini scored for Shandong an opener at the 11th minute, while Sho Ito made a brace two minutes in the second half to give Kashima life.

Guangzhou Evergrande will join the qualified Shandong Luneng and Shanghai SIPG in the last of 16. The only relegated team of the four CSL clubs were Beijing Guoan FC.

Group F leader Sanfrecce Hiroshima won 3-1 at Melbourne Victory, and the latter's Japanese attacking midfielder Keisuke Honda announced on Tuesday that he will pursue a new challenge after an injury-disrupted season at the Australian club.

For east zone's first leg of Round of 16, the fixtures are:

June 18 

Kashima Antlers (JPN) vs. Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN);

Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN) vs. Shandong Luneng FC (CHN).

June 19

Shanghai SIPG (CHN) vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR);

Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) vs. Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR).

(With input from AFP)

(Cover: Paulinho of Guangzhou Evergrande vies for a header during the AFC Champions League group-stage match against Daegu FC, Guangzhou, May 22, 2019. /VCG Photo)