Former champions Guangzhou Evergrande secured a place in the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League after a 0-0 draw with FC Seoul in Group H on Tuesday.

In a fierce contest at Seoul World Cup Stadium, a replay of the 2013 tournament final, both teams gave everything but could not find a way through leaving Seoul in second place in the group but needing a win at Kashima Antlers on the final matchday to be certain of progressing.

There were chances in the first half if not much composure with both teams giving the ball away and struggling to find much fluency.

Guangzhou made the early running with Brazilian goal machine Elkesen beating Kim Jin-kyu to the ball on the left edge of the area, advancing towards goal only to slam a powerful shot into Seoul's side-netting.

After 12 minutes however, Seoul should have taken the lead. Lee Sang-hyeob whipped in a free-kick from the left side for a diving Kim Hyun-sung to somehow head over from the edge of the six yard box.

Gao Lin had a chance that was almost as gilt-edged after 26 minutes. Kim Jin-kyu, standing on the edge of the Seoul area, passed right to the feet of the Chinese international. The striker advanced, and despite options to his left, sent a diagonal low shot that rolled past the right-hand post of Yu Sang-hoon.

There was still time before the whistle for Seoul's Spanish defensive midfielder Osmar Barba to head a corner over from a good position

Although the action was starting to come to the boil as the first period ended, the second started quietly with both teams pressing high and denying the other any space to work with. The first save of note was made by Zeng Cheng who dived to his left to push away a curling Kim Jin-kyu free-kick.

The Chinese champions came close just after the hour. Zheng Zhi drove a free-kick from the right into the crowded area and Zhang Linpeng glanced a header that flew just over the bar.

The best moment of the game came with 17 minutes remaining. Elkesen squared a ball across the face of the goal and a delightful flick from the tournament's top scorer Ricardo Goulart from close range bounced off the Seoul goalkeeper but was still rolling in at the far post only for Ko Kwang-min to hook it clear just inches from the line.

Elkesen almost took all three points deep into injury time, turning on the edge of the area only to send a left foot shot just wide of Seoul's right post.

In Group G, Brazilian substitute Kaio grabbed a late winner as Suwon eliminated Urawa Red Diamonds 2-1 and advanced to the knockout rounds. Zlatan Ljubijankic put Urawa ahead after 69 minutes, but Ko Cha-Won headed the two-time Asian Club Championship winners level before Kaio's clincher two minutes from time.

Beijing Guoan could have joined Suwon in the knockout rounds but they lost 1-0 at home to Australian champions Brisbane Roar, through Andrija Kaluderovic's goal in the first half.

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