The Japanese side needed to win to avoid seeing their continental campaign brought to an end and they made the ideal start as Hiroyuki Taniguchi opened the scoring after just four minutes, smashing home a first-time shot from Renatinho's pass.

Kawasaki were cruising after that goal and added a second in the 21st minute when Takanobu Komiyama was fouled and Yusuke Tasaka scored from the resulting free kick.

Seongnam had rarely threatened to pull a goal back but gave their hosts a scare in the 27th minute when Brazilian midfielder Fabricio hit the bar from a free kick.

But Kawasaki made the win safe in the 69th minute when Kengo Nakamura was fouled inside the area and Renatinho scored from the penalty spot.

The win means Kawasaki have six points and trail Beijing Guoan by one with the two sides to meet in a crunch final group match later this month.