Guangzhou thrashes Cerezo Osaka in ACL 2nd round

Muriqui of Chinas Guangzhou Evergrande celebrates after scoring a goal against Japans Cerezo Osaka in their first match of the Round of 16 during the AFC Champions League 2014 in Osaka, Japan, May 6, 2014. [Photo/icpress.cn]

JEONJU, South Korea - Defending champion Guangzhou Evergrande thrashed Cerezo Osaka 5-1 in a show of force to kick off the knockout rounds of the Asian Champions League on Tuesday night, while three-time winner Pohang Steelers had a 2-1 comeback win at K-League rival Jeonbuk.

Marcello Lippi's Evergrande lineup has an enormous advantage ahead of the return match in China next week, with progression to the quarterfinals almost certain after the lopsided result in Osaka.

Elkeson and Muriqui each scored twice for the Chinese Super League powerhouse and Gao Lin added another, while Italy international Alessandro Diamanti was instrumental in creating attack opportunities for Evergrande.

Muriqui ran onto a Diamanti pass to score the first goal in the 22nd minute and, after Ariajasuru Hasegawa equalized in the 30th, Elkeson scored twice within four minutes to make it 3-1 before halftime.

China striker Gao made it 4-1 in the 78th and Muriqui finished off with six minutes remaining with a goal from close range.

In a South Korean derby featuring two former Asian champions, Jeonbuk opened the scoring with Lee Jae-sung's header in the 53rd minute but Son Jun-ho equalized five minutes later.

Go Moo-yul's strike in the 74th-minute gave the Steelers the narrow win and a psychological edge at home next week with a spot in the quarterfinals at stake. Pohang is aiming for its sixth quarterfinals appearance in the continental championship, and a record fourth title.

In Abu Dhabi, Al Ain struck twice within five minutes to beat United Arab Emirates league rivals Al Jazira 2-1.

In the first ever Champions League clash between the UAE clubs, Ghanian Asamoah Gyan and Omar Abdulrahman scored in the 11th and 15th minutes to give Group C winners Al Ain a 2-0 lead at the halftime.

Al Jazira pulled one back through Musallem Fayez in the 58th minute, but Al Ain held on for the win.

Mukhtar Fallatah headed home from close range in the 76th minute to earn Al Ittihad 1-0 win over Saudi league rival Al Shabab.

Al Ittihad, which finished runner-up behind Al Ain in Group C, has qualified for the knockout stage for the seventh time and is aiming to get past the round of 16 for the fourth time.