Iljutcenko penalty earns Jeonbuk narrow victory over Yokohama

HONG KONG : South Korea's Jeonbuk Motors secured their first win in this year's Asian Champions League as Stanislav Iljutcenko's first-half penalty earned the former champions a 1-0 victory over Japan's Yokohama F Marinos in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday.

Iljutcenko converted from the spot 31 minutes into his side's second match in Group H and the result moves Jeonbuk into first place in the standings.

The winners in each of the five groups in east Asia will advance to the knockout rounds, where they will be joined by the three best runners-up and Kim Sang-sik's side are now one point clear of second-placed Marinos.

The Koreans edged the game against a Marinos side that featured seven changes from the one that defeated Hoang Anh Gia Lai in the opening round of fixtures.

Jeonbuk were awarded the penalty when Kim Jin-su was clumsily upended by Ken Matsubara and goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka almost managed to palm Iljutcenko's effort down the middle of the goal to safety.

The two-time champions lead the group after Sydney FC came from a goal behind to salvage a point against Vietnam's Hoang Anh Gia Lai in a 1-1 draw.

Substitute Trent Buhagiar scored with his first touch after replacing Adam Le Fondre in the 59th minute, heading home Anthony Caceres's cross to cancel out Vu Van Thanh's long-distance opener in the 26th minute.

Vissel Kobe put their poor early season form in the J-League behind them to belatedly begin their campaign in Group J with a 2-1 victory over Kitchee in Buriram, Thailand.

Kobe have yet to win in 10 league games so far this season but picked up all three points against the Hong Kong champions with goals from Yuta Goke and Shion Inoue.

Miguel Angel Lotina's side had been due to play Shanghai Port on the opening matchday