AFC Champions League wrap: Seoul, Suwon fly South Korean flag

FC Seoul and Suwon Bluewings made it a memorable matchday for South Korea in the AFC Champions League as they secured quarter-final berths.

Both sides enjoyed wins at the expense of Japanese opposition on Wednesday, with Seoul running out 3-0 winners over Kashima Antlers while the Bluewings enjoyed a 2-0 triumph over Nagoya Grampus.

The victories mean the pair join Jeonbuk Motors to make three South Korean sides in the final eight of the competition, while Cerezo Osaka are the only Japanese club still alive.

Bang Seung-Hwan opened the scoring for Seoul after 38 minutes, and second-half strikes to Montenegro forward Dejan Damjanovic and Ko Myong-Jin secured the win.

For the Bluewings, it was South Korea wingers Yeom Ki-Hun and Lee Sang-Ho who did the damage on the scoresheet.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, a brace from Brazilian striker Igor Castro helped Iranian side Zob Ahan book a spot in the quarter-finals in a 4-1 win over Saudi Arabia’s Al Nasr.

And a 12th-minute strike from defender Abdulla Koni was enough to move Qatar club Al Sadd into the last eight, courtesy of a 1-0 win over another Saudi Arabian team, Al Shabab.