Two-time defending J.League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima were sunk by a first-half double from Mile Sterjovski and lost 2-1 away to Australia's Central Coast Mariners in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday night.

It was a bad night for Japanese clubs as Cerezo Osaka were beaten 3-1 at home to China's Shandong Luneng in Group E.

Hiroshima came into the match unbeaten in four matches in all competitions so far this season and it took the lead in the 21st minute through a header from Tsukasa Shiotani.