The result leaves Frontale in third place in Group H, one point behind SIPG and adrift of already-qualified Ulsan Hyundai with only one round of matches remaining.

And that means Kawasaki must defeat Sydney FC in Australia on May 21 and hope SIPG do not win their clash with the club from Korea Republic due to be played on the same day at Shanghai Stadium.

Having gone three games without a goal in the 2019 AFC Champions League, powerful forward Hulk roared back into form at the perfect moment for Shanghai SIPG with a fine brace to keep their destiny in their hands going into the final Group H tie on May 21.

Defeat to hosts Kawasaki would have seen the Chinese club needing to rely not only on three points from the Matchday Six tie away at group winners Ulsan Hyundai, but also results to go their way in the match between Sydney FC and Kawasaki in Australia.

Hulk struck either side of half-time to deny the Japanese the win with Leandro Damiao and Shogo Taniguchi scoring for Kawasaki, who remained stuck in third place in Group H behind leaders Ulsan Hyundai and Shanghai.

The hosts went into the game in second place in the Group G standings, two points behind their opponents and three ahead of Urawa Red Diamonds with two games to play.

But Korea Republic international Kim Shin-wook’s first-half goal proved decisive as the 1-0 victory for the two-time champions sealed top spot, while Urawa’s 2-1 win over Buriram United saw the Japanese team move above Beijing on goal difference.

The result leaves Beijing needing to win against Urawa Red Diamonds on Matchday Six to be certain of joining the club from Korea Republic in the next round of the competition.

Jeonbuk will face the runners-up in Group H – either Shanghai SIPG or Kawasaki Frontale – in the next phase of the competition as they progress to the knockout rounds for the 11th time in 12 appearances in the AFC Champions League.

The two-time champions moved on to seven points from their first five games and will take on Beijing FC at the Saitama Stadium 2002 in two weeks’ time, needing a win to advance to the last 16 after goals from Shinzo Koroki and Yuki Muto earned Urawa the points at the Buriram Stadium.

The three points earned from Ulsan’s third win of the group phase mean Kim Do-hoon’s side cannot finish outside the top two places and they will advance to the Round of 16, while Sydney FC crash out.

Diskerud’s goal came 14 minutes into an even second half when the United States international’s quick thinking allowed him to score after the ball had been deflected into his path in the penalty area, and his improvised finish gave Andrew Redmayne no chance in the Sydney goal.