TOKYO, Nov 26, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Vissel Kobe took another step towards the Asian Champions League knockouts with a chaotic 3-2 victory over Central Coast Mariners on Tuesday as Shanghai Port won thanks to a Matias Vargas hat-trick.

Days after lifting the domestic Emperor's Cup and with another J. League crown within grasp, Vissel initially made light work of the Australian champions in Kobe.

Ryuho Kikuchi pounced from close range five minutes before the break to put the hosts in front.

Four minutes after half time it was 2-0 when Mariners defender Storm Roux accidentally headed into his own goal, the ball looping over stopper Dylan Peraic-Cullen.

Five minutes later Roux redeemed himself by forcing an own goal out of home midfielder Hotaru Yamaguchi.

The visitors grabbed an equaliser when Bailey Brandtman's effort deflected off the outstretched leg of a Vissel defender.

But just when it looked like the Australians might take a precious point home, Daiju Sasaki's long-range effort on 81 minutes squirmed through Peraic-Cullen's hands.

Vissel stretched their lead to four points at the top of the 12-team East Zone table in Asia's top club competition.

With the top eight all going into the last 16, it would need a huge capitulation for them not to go through.

After five games, A-League champions Central Coast have one point and are a place off bottom.

Rooted to the basement are two-time Asian champions Ulsan, who were beaten 3-1 at home by newly crowned Chinese title-holders Shanghai Port.
That was despite the visitors playing an hour with 10 men following the 31st-minute dismissal of Li Ang.

Shanghai were already leading 2-0 by then with Vargas scoring in the 11th and 23rd minutes.

Ulsan pulled a goal back in the second half through Joo Min-kyu before Argentine Vargas scored again with seven minutes left for his hat-trick.