Matsubara Ken (left) of Yokohama F. Marios passes the ball during the Group G match between Shandong Taishan of China and Yokohama F. Marinos of Japan at the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League in Yokohama, Japan, on Dec 13, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

TOKYO - Shandong Taishan still secured a spot in the AFC Champions League Round of 16 despite going down 3-0 to Yokohama F. Marinos on Wednesday.

With Incheon United beating Kaya FC-Iloilo 3-1 in the simultaneous Group G fixture, the three teams all finished the group stage on 12 points. Yet it was Incheon who missed out on progression to the next phase due to an inferior head-to-head goal difference against the other two.

Taishan's attack line was weakened by the departure of Moises and Marouane Fellaini, while Elber struck four minutes into first half injury time to put the home side 1-0 ahead.

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Cryzan threatened six minutes into the second half, as his pace left the Marinos defence stranded and his cutback found Liao Lisheng in the perfect position to strike but his shot flew high over the goal.

In the 57th minute, a Yan Matheus pass across goal was stroked home from close range by Anderson Lopes. Seven minutes later, Matheus scored with a brilliant lobbed finish to seal the convincing victory for Marinos.

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Elsewhere, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors edged Bangkok United 3-2 as the two teams both advance into the knockout stage from Group F. Kitchee SC beat Lion City Sailors 2-0.