SAITAMA, Japan -- Defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande are on the brink of a group stage exit in the Asian Champions League after a 1-0 loss to Urawa Reds on Tuesday left the big-spending Chinese club winless in four games.
Yuki Muto's header in the 52nd-minute secured Urawa's victory at home and moved the 2007 champions into second place in Group H with seven points, two behind Sydney FC.
Evergrande, coached by Luiz Felipe Scolari, have two points and need wins their last two games to have any chance of progressing in their bid for a third Asian Champions League title in four seasons.
Brazilian midfielder Paulinho hit the post from eight yards, missing a chance to put Guangzhou in front early in the second half, minutes before Muto's close-range header gave Urawa the lead.
Paulinho shot over the crossbar from Jackson Martinez's cross in the 56th, failing to equalise in a contest Guangzhou needed to win.
In Sydney, forward Milos Ninkovic scored with his second touch from close range in 51st minute to give the hosts a 1-0 home win over the three-time champions Pohang Steelers, maintaining first place and needing only one point to ensure a spot in the knockout stage for the first time in three attempts.
"Good discipline, good effort and they played to the game plan," Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold said of his team, who are languishing in seventh place in the Australian A-League. "I'm very happy for once in 10 weeks. We're not there yet, I want us to finish on top of the group."
In Group F, 2013 finalist FC Seoul were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Shandong Luneng, moving to 10 points and remaining three clear of the Chinese club.
Seoul defender Osmar Barba hit the post with a volley after 16 minutes and Shandong missed a chance when Gil headed past the post.
Seoul squandered late chances when Ju Se-Jong's shot from the edge of the area flew over the Shandong crossbar and Yun Ju-Tae's shot was deflected just wide.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima remained in contention with a 2-0 win at Buriram United, moving to six points as they extended the Thai club's run to four straight losses.