Soccer-Kawasaki reach AFC Champions League quarters

Kuala Lumpur, May 9 (Reuters) - Kawasaki Frontale became the first Japanese team to qualify for the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League after their 3-0 Group F victory over Indonesia's Arema Malang on Wednesday.

Victory gave Kawasaki 13 points from five matches, six points head of South Korea's Chunnam Dragons, who defeated Bangkok University 3-2.

Kengo Nakamura scored twice and Taku Harada added the third as Kawasaki ended Japan's five-year wait to put a team in the last eight of Asia's premier club competition.

In the fifth and penultimate round of group matches, United Arab Emirates' Al Wahda and Al Hilal, of Saudi Arabia, also sealed their quarter-final places by winning their pools.

Al Wahda defeated Qatar's Al Rayyan 3-0 to win Group A with 13 points, five ahead of Iraq's Al Zawra'a.

Al Hilal qualified from three-team Group B on eight points after completing their programme with a 0-0 draw away to Al Kuwait. Second-placed Pakhtakor, of Uzbekstan, trail by three points with a game in hand.

Japanese champions Urawa Reds wasted their opportunity after being held to a 3-3 draw away to Indonesia's Persik Kediri in Group E.

Victory would have ensured a quarter-final place for the Reds, but Budi Sudarsono grabbed a 82nd-minute equaliser for the home side after Urawa had fought back from 2-1 down to lead 3-2.

The result opens the door for Australia's Sydney FC, who drew 0-0 at home against China's Shanghai Shenhua.

Sydney have eight points, one behind Urawa with the two teams set to meet in Saitama on May 23 in the likely group decider.

Persik have a remote chance of qualifying if they can beat Shanghai by nine goals in their last game and Sydney draw with Urawa.

China's Shandong Luneng drew 2-2 at home against Australia's Adelaide United, which means to top Group G they need a draw in their final match in a fortnight away to Korea's Seongnam Ilhwa, who on Wednesday beat Vietnam's Dong Tam Long An 2-1.

In Group D, Iran's Sepahan crushed home side Al Ittihad, of Syria, 5-0, to join leaders Saudi side Al Shabab on 10 points with one match left. Al Shabab beat UAE's Al Ain 2-0.

Uzbekistan's Neftchi were held 1-1 at home by Iraq's Al Najaf, giving them a two-point lead in Group C over Syria's 2006 runners-up Al Karama, who drew 1-1 at Qatar's Al Sadd.

The top teams from each of the seven groups join Korea's defending champions Chonbuk Motors in the quarter-finals.