Shinzo Koroki pounced on a mistake by full-back Jorge Caballero eight minutes before half-time to beat home goalkeeper Mi Tianhe and secure Group F leaders Kashima a fifth win of the campaign against an understrength Changchun who were already out of contention.

With Jeonbuk Motors demolishing whipping boys Persipura Jayapura of Indonesia 8-0, Kashima need just a point at home to the K-League champions in two weeks to secure top spot in the group and home advantage in the one-off last 16.

At a wet and snowy Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Sim Woo-yeon scored a hat-trick as Jeonbuk kept their hopes of top spot alive and now must better the 2-1 victory Kashima posted in Korea at the start of March.

Brazilian Eninho set Jeonbuk on their way after 13 minutes following a long-range strike before Sim turned home Lee Dong-gook's pass 18 minutes later to double the scoring.

Former Middlesbrough striker Lee added a third from the penalty spot five minutes before half-time after captain Kim Sang-sik was fouled inside the area.

Eninho grabbed his second three minutes before the hour mark after turning home an inviting pass from half-time substitute Luiz Henrique before Seo Jung-jin added a fifth three minutes later.

Sim headed home after 79 minutes as the visitors continued to crumble and after substitute Lim Sang-hyub produced a cool finish a minute later, Sim completed his hat-trick with five minutes remaining as Persipura conceded their 29th goal in five defeats.