Shinzo Koroki had the first effort on goal when his low shot went just wide after Ewerton’s dummy had created space.

But it was the home side who took the lead in the 12th minute. Ricardo Lopes stole possession, drove forward and struck a firm, low shot into the far corner from 20 yards.

Gyeongnam applied some early pressure and Negueba took advantage of a defensive slip to surge clear before being dispossessed by the Kashima defenders. Choi Jae-soo’s cross from the left then found Kim Hyo-gi but he couldn’t direct his volley on target.

Kim Hyo-gi headed wide from Negueba’s cross as the visitors continued to push for the opening goal.

Despite conceding the majority of the possession to Daegu, the visitors were able to make the most of their limited opportunities to make it three wins on the bounce and move to the top of Group F with just two games remaining.

Travelling more than 7,500 kilometres to make your tournament debut is a clear illustration of the sheer scope and scale of Asian football's most prestigious club competition.

But it was a journey that 21-year-old Yan Dinghao was happy to embark upon, even if the south China side was not able to secure all three points in Australia.

The Englishman equalised after two quickfire SIPG goals had put the Chinese side in front, following Brandon O’Neill’s first-half opener for Sydney. But neither team could find the winner, leaving SIPG two points above the Australian side in Group H.

“We’re disappointed to get the draw and I think we were good value to get the win,” said Le Fondre. “We were pushing all the way and were the team in the ascendancy come the end of the game. We were really disappointed when the full-time whistle went.”

Xavi scored his second free-kick – and third goal – in two games as Al Sadd took an early lead at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium before Egor Krimets leveled proceedings as the sides went in level at the interval.

But with the clock ticking down, Baghdad Bounedjah capitalised on a defensive error before slotting home to seal all three points as the 2018 semi-finalists moved to the top of the Group D standings.

Joint leading scorers in this year's AFC Champions League after Monday's Matchday Four fixtures, Jeddah side Al Ittihad could feel somewhat disappointed with the solitary goal to show for their 20 shots registered against PFC Lokomotiv.

Romarinho's 12th minute opener gave hope for a third win in four Continental ties, but Temurkhuja Abdukholiqov restored parity for the hosts nine minutes before half-time and, despite, a barrage of efforts on goal from both sides the score remained 1-1 at full-time.