The J.League runners-up went ahead through former Japan international's Atsushi Yanagisawa header in the first half and held firm to move level with second-placed Buriram United on five points in Group E.

K-League champions Seoul came close to equalising in the 59th minute when Dejan Damjanovic's long-range effort hit the crossbar.

The loss in Sendai still sees Seoul lead the group from Thai outfit Buriram, who defeated Jiangsu Sainty 2-0.

J.League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima and South Korean club Pohang Steelers finished 1-1 in Group G with the latter staying in second place.

Uzbekistan giants Bunyodkor earned their second win of the campaign to stay top of the group on eight points, defeating Beijing Guoan 1-0 on the road thanks to Fozil Musayev's 32nd-minute strike.

In Group C, Al Gharafa downed Al Nasr 3-1 to move to nine points from four games behind last season's runner-up Al Ahli, who made it four wins straight with a 4-1 victory over Sepahan of Iran.

Mustafa Al Bassass scored a first-half double at the Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium and further strikes from Bruno Cesar and Bader Al Khames guided Al Hilal to a comfortable win.

Saudi Arabia's Al Shabab remain top of Group A after a 1-0 victory at Tractor Sazi, courtesy of Sebastian Tagliabaue's goal five minutes from time.

They lead El Jaish by five points after the Qatari club fought back away to Al Jazira to secure a 1-1 draw.