Gamba edge towards breaking Japan's Asian jinx

TOKYO, Apr 12 (Reuters) Japan's Gamba Osaka overpowered Chinese side Dalian Shide 3-0 at home to move closer to breaking the country's Asian Champions League jinx today.

No Japanese team has ever reached the quarter-finals of Asia's premier club competition but Gamba look like ending that unhappy run after going top of Group E.

The J-League champions equalled the tournament record by demolishing Vietnam's Da Nang 15-0 in their previous match and they were never troubled by Dalian at Expo Stadium.

Japan midfielder Yasuhito Endo put Gamba in front from the penalty spot three minutes into the second half and two goals from Brazilian striker Magno Alves made the points safe.

Gamba are level with South Korean side Chonbuk Motors and Dalian on six points from three games but with a vastly superior goal difference.

Korean F.A. Cup winners Chonbuk beat Da Nang 3-0 at home in today's other Group E game.

Six-times Uzbek champions Pakhtakor beat 10-man Foolad of Iran 2-0 to go top of Group A in the earliest of eight ties taking place in west Asia.

Pakhtakor climbed above Foolad with six points from three games. Foolad have four points.

The top team from each of the seven groups will join defending champions Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia in the last eight.

The tournament winners will earn a place in December's Club World Championship in Japan.

REUTERS PDS BST2130