Thai FA Cup winners Chiang Rai United missed out on a chance to secure their place in the group stage of the AFC Champions League after losing 4-3 in the penalty shoot-out against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Japan last night.
Both teams failed to find the back of the net after 120 minutes and it came to penalties to decide the winners on a chilly night in Hiroshima.
Tanasak Srisai and Phitiwat Sukjitthammakul sent their shots over the bar during the shoot-out while four out of five Sanfrecce players converted theirs, with only Hayao Kawabe hitting the bar, to give the home team the victory.
Hiroshima will return to the continental club championship for the first time since 2016. The three-time J.League champions took their place in Group F alongside China's Guangzhou Evergrande, South Korea's Daegu FC and Australia's Melbourne Victory.
Chiang Rai goalkeeper Saranon Anuin denied Hiroshima an early lead after saving a penalty from forward Yusuke Minagawa in the ninth minute.
Meanwhile, Kashima Antlers will defend their title beating Australia's Newcastle Jets 4-1 at Kashima Soccer Stadium yesterday.
Despite being crowned Asia's club kings last November, Kashima's third-place finish in the 2018 J.League season meant they had to earn their place in this year's group stage with the visit of the A-League side.
Sho Ito (18), Shuto Yamamota (32), Serginho (67, 90+1) scored for Kashima while Ronald Vargas (23) was on target for the Jets.
China's Shandong Luneng will make their ninth appearance in the group stage after defeating Hanoi FC of Vietnam 4-1 in Jinan.
Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea also progressed with a thumping 5-1 victory over Perak of Malaysia at Ulsan Munsu Stadium.
