That wrapped up a 5-0 aggregate scoreline for the Japanese side, who ensured their smooth progression with an efficient display all over the pitch.

After suffering a 2-0 loss in the first leg in Japan three weeks ago, Tianjin went into the return meeting at Macau Olympic Stadium needing to win by at least two goals to have any chance of remaining in the competition.

Goals from Serginho, Hiroki Abe, and Shoma Doi wrapped up a 5-0 aggregate victory for the Japanese side over their Chinese opponents, delivering them to a first ever semi-final in Asia’s premier club competition.

The first leg finished 2-0 to Kashima three weeks ago, but Go Oiwa’s side almost offered Tianjin some early encouragement when they gifted Alexandre Pato a free sight of goal in just the third minute at Macau Olympic Stadium.

The former AC Milan star could only direct his close-range attempt straight at a relieved Kwoun Sun-Tae though, and within 10 minutes it was instead Kashima opening the scoring as Serginho nodded home a Yasushi Endo corner from in front of Tianjin goalkeeper Zhang Lu.

Goalkeeper Shin Hwa-yong was Suwon's hero as he saved three penalties - the first in second half stoppage time which forced the tie into extra time and two in the resultant shootout.

In need of goals, the visitors did much of the early attacking at Suwon World Cup Stadium and took the lead on the night inside the 11th minute.

Suwon failed to deal with Ricardo Lopes’ ball into the area and fellow Brazilian Adriano latched onto the loose ball to poke past goalkeeper Shin.

Although heartened by the opener, Jeonbuk were unable to add a second, nor carve out another clear-cut opportunity, before half-time despite the lion’s share of attacking play and possession.

The 2011 winners advanced to the next stage on the back of a 5-3 aggregate win, having defeated the Iranian team 3-1 in the first leg in Tehran.

The Iranian side came from 2-0 down on aggregate to record a 3-2 victory, with goals from Jalal Hosseini, and Godwin Mensha either side of a Sultan Al Brake own goal helping them turn the tie around at Azadi Stadium.

Coming into the home second leg with a slim one-goal disadvantage, Persepolis found themselves another goal down after 33 minutes as Al Duhail captain Karim Boudiaf capitalised on a poor defensive clearance.