Guangzhou R&F hosted Singaporean side Warriors and a win by the Chinese outfit would get them into the final phase of qualifying for the continent's top club competition.
R&F finished third last year in the domestic campaign led by former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, but he was replaced by Romanian coach Cosmin Contra this season.
No goals in the first half, and seven minutes after the break, the hosts broke the deadlock. From a corner kick, Jiang Zhipeng fired a superb volley into the corner of the net.
That is definitely worth another look as the 25-year-old midfielder put Guangzhou in front. The keeper did not even move.
The home side extended their advantage in the 60th minute, South Korean midfielder Jang Hyun-soo fires one into back of the net after a poor clearance lands at his feet. The 23-year-old defender made it two-nil with a neat finish.
Thirteen minutes later, Guangzhou put the game beyond doubt, Spanish midfielder Michel Herrero's shot was denied by the post, but Zhang Shuo was there to tap in the rebound. 3-nil the final score, they will take on the Central Coast Mariners in Australia next Tuesday, with a place in the Champions League group stage at stake for the winner.