Win takes Kashima to brink of knockouts

Posted Tuesday, May 03, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

HONG KONG (AFP) - Japan's Kashima Antlers moved to the brink of the Asian Champions League knockout phase on Tuesday, beating Shanghai Shenhua 2-0 at Tokyo's National Stadium.

Two goals from forward Shinzo Koroki took the J-League side to nine points in Group H, three clear of South Korea's Suwon Samsung Bluewings, who play Sydney FC later Tuesday.

Koroki opened the scoring with a header shortly after the half-hour mark from a free kick swung in by skipper Mitsuo Ogasawara.

Shanghai improved after the break as rain began to fall, but Kashima doubled their lead 10 minutes before full-time when Koroki scored after Shanghai goalkeeper Wang Dalei failed to hold an effort from Brazilian Fellype Gabriel.

"Probably all the people of the Kashima side had hoped for us to win today. I'm very glad that we were able to live up to their expectations," said Kashima coach Oswaldo Oliveira.

"The other game (Suwon vs Sydney) will be played in the evening, so we can put pressure on them. If we can finish top in the group round, we will have a home advantage. It will not be decided this evening."

In other later matches Tuesday, the top two in Group G, China's Shandong Luneng FC and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of South Korea face off.

In the West Asian matches, already qualified Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia play Iran's Piroozi Athletic in Group C. Uzbek outfit Bunyodkor face Al Wahda of the United Arab Emirates in the same group.

Group B table-toppers Al Sadd of Qatar take on Iran's Esteghlal and the top two sides in Group D, Emirates and Iran's Zobahan, clash.

Thirty-two teams play home and away in eight groups to qualify for the knockout stages starting in May.