Alou Kuol's goal was not enough to save Central Coast Mariners from defeat in the ACL Elite. -AAP Image
Central Coast Mariners have suffered a sixth defeat in seven Asian Champions League Elite matches to leave them firmly entrenched at the bottom of the 12-team East Zone group.
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The Mariners lost 2-1 to Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim, hamperd by goalkeeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen being sent off for a foul on Arif Aiman late in the first half Alvaro scored twice for JDT either side of Alou Kuol's 70th-minute leveller.
Japanese champions Vissel Kobe booked their place in the knockout rounds with a 4-0 thrashing of China's Shanghai Port as compatriots Kawasaki Frontale confirmed their progress to the last 16.
Kawasaki cruised to a 4-0 win over 10-man hosts Pohang Steelers in South Korea to claim their berth in the next phase with one round of matches remaining.
South Korea's Gwangju FC will advance despite their 3-1 loss against Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan while Tuesday's results mean Yokohama F Marinos, who are third in the 12-team standings and play on Wednesday, are also through..
The top eight finishers in the league phase in both east and west Asia qualify for the last 16, with matches in the knockout phase to be played in March. Teams will then advance to centralised finals in Saudi Arabia in April and May.
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