Kashima needed to equal the result of Beijing Guoan, with whom they were level on points at the top of Group F, to progress.

And with the Chinese club losing 5-3 at Krung Thai Bank, goals from Yuzo Tashiro, Shinzo Koroki, Masashi Motoyama and Danilo were enough.

Kashima Skipper Mitsuo Ogasawara and Koroki both sent early sighters wide of target before Japanese stopper Hitoshi Sogahata was tested.

He held on well after Tran Duc Duong surged into the box and fired at goal.

That was as good as it got for the hosts, as moments later Tashiro latched onto a pass from Ogasawara to fire low into the back of the net.

That was how the score remained going into half-time, but three minutes after the restart Koroki diverted Toru Araiba's cross towards goal and, though his original effort was saved by goalkeeper Tran Tanh Trung, he made no mistake second time around.

It was almost three just past the hour mark when substitute Ryutu Sasaki volleyed towards goal only to see his effort rebound off the post.

But the Japanese side scored twice in the last 15 minutes to complete their impressive victory.

First Motoyama followed up after Takeshi Aoki's cross was parried by the goalkeeper.

Then substitute Danilo found himself all alone and slotted the fourth into the back of the net.

Following Kashima's 6-0 win in March, it took the aggregate score between the teams to 10-0.