In the AFC champions league, title holders Guangzhou Evergrande would be travelling to face Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds.

The CSL side had a lacklustre start to their continental campaign, gather just 2 points in their first 3 matches and staring elimination in the face.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's team come out pressing and in the 37th minute they nearly take the lead. Brazilian Ricardo Goulart charges into the area only to see his low volley deflected wide. Urawa defender Ryota Moriwaka just steering it out of harm's way.

2 minutes into the second half the Chinese champs go close again. Some good work from Zhang Linpeng down the right flank ends with Paulinho smacking the post. Yu Hanchao has a header that misses the target moments later and it remains nil-nil.

And the Reds would make Evergrande pay for their missed opportunities. After the restart Takahiro Sekine's effort is diverted into the path of Yuki Moto and he glances a header past Zeng Cheng in the visiting goal. 1-nil. That one enjoyed by his manager, Mihailo Petrovic, who forget to leave his skis at home.

Cheng is then called upon with 10 minutes remaining when he is forced to keep out Sekine from the edge of the area to keep them in the game. Nice stop keeps his side in it.

But Evergrande can't find an equaliser and Urawa grab a 1-nil win which leaves them second in group H and Guangzhou at the foot of the table and looking at a possible early exit.

"It's a pity we lost. We have played a lot of matches recently and we tried our best. Physically, we were not at our peak in the second half. We need to pay more attention to the little details of the game," said Zeng Cheng, Guangzhou Goalkeeper.

With two matches remaining, Sydney FC lead Group H with nine points, followed by Urawa on seven and the Pohang Steelers on four. Guangzhou are bottom with just two points.

With two matches remaining, Sydney FC lead Group H with nine points, followed by Urawa on seven and the Pohang Steelers on four. Guangzhou are bottom with just two points.

South Korean club lead Group F with 10 points

Shandong Luneng visited FC Seoul in Group F. The Chinese club had an early chance through Wu Xinghan which was easily saved by Seoul goalkeeper Yoo Hyun.

Seoul's first opportunity came in the 16th minute with a shot by defender Osmar Barba which struck the post and stayed out.

Seoul's Brazilian striker Carlos Adriano had scored nine goals in the first three group matches, but was denied by Shandong goalkeeper Wang Dalei keeping the game scoreless.

Shandong had a free kick in the 67th minute but the ball is cleared by the goalie. He plays for Seoul but he is not a soldier.

Late in the second half -- Luneng's Diego Tardelli had to come off when he injured the right thigh.

Dejan Damjanovic also had a chance to score but failed to convert, as it was deflected wind. The squads play to a nil-nil draw.

The draw leaves Seoul top of Group F with ten points, followed by Shandong on seven. Sanfrecce Hiroshima is third place, while at the bottom, Thailand's Buriram United who were eliminated after suffering their fourth straight loss in the group stage.