Sanfrecce Hiroshima booked their ticket for the Asian Champions League last 16 with a game to spare following a 1-0 win over Group F rivals Guangzhou Evergrande on Wednesday.
While both sides created several chances at Edion Stadium, Sanfrecce, who lead the group, claimed the three points thanks to a first-half own goal.
With the win, Sanfrecce moved three points clear of second-place Daegu FC, which leapfrogged Guangzhou following a 4-0 thrashing of the already-eliminated Melbourne Victory.