Griffiths put Guoan ahead on 26 minutes with a powerful, volleyed finish after a well-weighted cross from Yan Xiangchuang.

The strike was Griffiths' third in the Champions League and fifth for the season overall.

Prior to Griffiths' breakthrough, Kawasaki had applied plenty of pressure on the Beijing goal as the Japanese side sought qualification for the last 16, needing only a draw to go through.

But once Guoan got ahead they appeared the more likely and got their reward on 47 minutes when Erivaldo rounded Kawasaki keeper Eiji Kawashima before coolly slotting in for 2-0.

Griffiths almost got Beijing a third in the second-half when his wicked long-range effort was palmed away by Kawashima.

The former Newcastle Jets frontman was replaced on 77 minutes, while his brother Ryan Griffiths did not feature in the squad.

Elsewhere in Group E, Sasa Ognenovski put in a full shift, hitting the post with a first-half header, as Seongnam Ilhwa beat Melbourne Victory 3-2.

In Group A, forgotten Socceroos defender Michael Beauchamp played a full game as UAE club Al Jazira finished their campaign on a high beating Esteghlal 2-1.

In Scotland's First Division, Young Socceroo Ryan McGowan put in a full shift as Ayr United missed the chance to escape bottom spot losing 1-0 at home to Ross County.

Meanwhile McGowan's Aussie teammate at Ayr, also on loan from Hearts, Rocky Visconte didn't feature in Wednesday's match and has actually been ruled out for the season with a hamstring tear.

Ayr boss Brian Reid said: "Everyone is disappointed not to have seen more of what Rocky can do. Only getting three games during his time here has been a blow to Rocky and to us."