Yuma Suzuki scored twice as Kashima Antlers beat Thailand's Muangthong United 2-1 at home on Wednesday night to book a meeting with Chinese powerhouse Guangzhou Evergrande in the round of 16 in the Asian Champions League.
Suzuki scored with headers either side of a screamer from Teerasil Dangda to ensure Antlers leapfrogged Muangthong to top spot in Group E after the final round of first-round matches.
Antlers finished the group stage with 12 points, one ahead of Muangthong, and will play Group G runner-up and two-time ACL champion Guangzhou over two legs, away first on May 23 and then at home on May 30.