Yokohama F Marinos cruise to victory amid Asian Champions League uncertainty

Shanghai Port slipped to a 2-0 loss against Yokohama F Marinos on Feb 19 but the Chinese Super League side could still qualify for the last 16 of the Asian Champions League Elite following Shandong Taishans withdrawal earlier in the day.

Goals from Asahi Uenaka and Jun Amano in four second-half minutes earned Steve Hollands side victory in Pudong Stadium but the line-up for next months knockout rounds remains uncertain after Shandong pulled out of the competition.

The withdrawal, which Shandong claimed was due to health issues within their squad, was announced by the Asian Football Confederation hours before the Chinese side were due to face South Koreas Ulsan HD in their final match.

Shandongs decision to pull out means all of the clubs results in this seasons tournament have been annulled as per the competitions regulations.

That has cast an air of uncertainty over the final league phase table for east Asia and, with it, the pairings for the next round of the competition.

Under the Swiss league system, which was introduced this season as part of a major overhaul, the team finishing top of the standings will take on the eighth placed side, second place will play seventh and so on.

But with Shandongs results expunged, three clubs – Buriram United, Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai Port -- have earned points across eight matches compared to seven for the remaining teams in the competition.

The AFC has said the matter will be referred to the relevant committees “as appropriate for their decisions”.

No timeline has been given regarding when a decision will be made, with the first leg matches in the last 16 due to be played on March 4 and 5. The returns are a week later.

The uncertainty had no bearing on Yokohamas performance, however, as last