Urawa Reds picked up the point they needed to progress to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League when they held Sydney FC to a scoreless draw at Saitama Stadium.

The point means the J.League champions finish ahead of the Australians at the top of Group E, joining compatriots Kawasaki Frontale in the last eight of the competition - the first time Japanese clubs have reached the knockout phase of the tournament.

Holger Osieck's side rarely looked like losing despite the even nature of the contest as Sydney failed to put the Reds defence under significant pressure throughout the 90 minutes.

As a result, Urawa go into the quarter-finals with an unbeaten record and they had the best chance in the opening half to take the lead.

That opportunity fell to Shinji Ono in the 17th minute when the former Feyenoord midfielder was picked out close to goal by Tomoyuki Soma's cross from the left, but the close-range volley looped over Clint Bolton's crossbar.

Sydney, though, were not overawed by the atmosphere inside the Saitama Stadium and within two minutes they fashioned a chance of their own when Alex Brosque sent his long-range effort just wide of the target.

With eight minutes remaining in the half, Brosque turned provider with an opportunity that should have seen the Australians take the lead.

The midfielder's cross from the right swung towards goal finding David Zdrilic unmarked between Urawa defenders, but the Sydney striker's header was poorly timed and the ball was comfortably collected by Ryota Tsuzuki.

Reds conjured up the best move of the half when Ono fed the ball through to Nene, whose deft touch found Washington, who in turn played Robson Ponte into enough space to fire off a shot that Bolton scrambled past the post for a corner.

The home side continued to press after the restart, with Ono going close four minutes into the second period.

Mark Milligan's volley from the edge of the area went over the bar just after the hour mark as Sydney continued to look for the goal they needed, but as time went on the Australians' lack of match sharpness started to tell.

David Carney's long-range attempt almost sneaked inside Tsuzuki's right post in the 67th minute, but from there the Australians presented little threat.

Indeed, Reds went close to sealing all three points in injury time when Washington had a strike at goal from just inside the area, but the Brazilian's effort was just wide of the target.