Brisbane Roar's surprise 1-0 away win against J-League side Urawa Red Diamonds at the Saitama Stadium in Group G ensured that it was not a bleak Wednesday for Australian sides in the AFC Champions League as holders Western Sydney Wanderers went down 3-2 at Parramatta Stadium to 2013 winners Guangzhou Evergrande in Group H.
While a third minute strike from Roar 19-year-old forward Brandon Borello sunk the 2007 winners, Tony Popovic's side fought hard against Fabio Cannavaro's big-spending Chinese Super League giants but were undone by Brazil forward Ricardo Goulart's hat trick.
The 23-year-old, who made his international debut in the Selecao's post-World Cup friendly against Ecuador last year, scored in the 19th, 58th and 68th minutes to see his team through just as his strike on Feb. 25 had ensured a 1-0 group win at home against FC Seoul of South Korea. For Western Sydney, Italy-born holding midfielder Iacopo la Rocca equalised in the 57th minute and Dutch winger Romeo Castelen reduced the deficit deep into injury time in the Group H clash.
Urawa couldn't recover from Borello's early strike and the 51st minute red card to their defender Daisuke Nasu did not help Mihailo Petrovic's side in their quest to claim their first point of their 2015 campaign in Group G.
The J-League side were defeated by K-League side Suwon Samsung Bluewings 2-1 in their first group game on Feb. 25. Frans Thijssen's side, who had lost 1-0 in China to Beijing Guoan in their first group game on the same day, moved to second place in the group standings and will host Suwon, who also have three points from two matches, on March 18.
Two minutes after the start, Roar's Germany born midfielder Thomas Broich dispossessed Yosuke Kashiwagi 25 yards from goal and freed Borrello, who beat goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa at his near post.
English-born midfielder Luke Brattan almost doubled Roar's lead in the 15th minute with a long range strike that just went over the bar. The A-League side totally outplayed Urawa in the first half and the home fans booed the J-League side as they trooped off the pitch at the break.
Three minutes after the restart, Roar custodian Jamie Young did well to save off Urawa striker Shinzo Koroki, who was at the end of a slick passing move.
Just as Urawa started to control the midfield, they were reduced to 10 men in the 51st minute when Nasu was given a straight red card for bringing down Roar's Serbian striker Andrija Kaluderovic 40 yards from goal after the Japanese defender had given away possession.
In the 69th minute, Roar almost scored again off a brisk counter attack but Brazil born striker Henrique Silva could not beat Nishikawa.
With a minute remaining, former Japan international forward Tadanari Lee came close to equalising for Urawa but his diving header narrowly went over the bar.
Western Sydney began well against Fabio Cannavaro's side. Midfielder Nicholas Kalmar played in forward Nikita Rukavytsya, whose effort was tipped over the crossbar by Guanzhoung custodian Zeng Cheng.
The Chinese Super League club took the lead when Mei Fang's deep cross from the right wing was headed back across goal by Brazilian forward Elkeson. Huang Bowen set up Goulart with a gentle prod, and the Brazilian's shot deflected off Nikolai Topor-Stanley on its way past Ante Covic.
At the stroke of half-time, Topor-Stanley had a glorious chance to equalise but his header off Rukavytsya's inswinging corner just went wide of the far post.
The home team eventually levelled the game from another Rukavytsya corner twelve minutes into the second half. La Rocca's header clipped off the upright and nestled in the net.
Guangzhou, though, hit back immediately as Gao Lin raced down the right flank and crossed for Goulart to beat Covic at his near post.
A third came from the same combination six minutes later. This time Lin sped down the left and crossed in the direction of the Brazilian forward. Spiranovic managed to get a foot to the ball, but could not divert it from the path of Goulart, who clinically slotted in to complete his hat trick.
Spiranovic had a goal disallowed for off side four minutes later just after goalkeeper Cheng suffered a head injury following a collision with team-mate Kim Young-gwon.
During the 17 minutes of injury time added because of the treatment needed for Cheng, Western Sydney reduced the margin. Rukavytsya's cross from the right found an unmarked Castelan who directed his header past substitute goalkeeper Li Shuai.
Western Sydney -- who have three points from their away win against J-league club Kashima Antlers on Feb. 25 -- will take on FC Seoul in South Korea on March 18. The South Korean club also have three points following Wednesday's 1-0 home win against Kashima Antlers.