After emerging victorious in its Tuesday match in Japan against Kashiwa Reysol, former champions Guangzhou Evergrande took a giant leap toward the team's return to the semi-finals.
The 3-1 victory in Japan also marks Brazilian Paulinho's debut at the AFC Championships League, kicking off his stint at the games with a stunning first-half free kick.
Paulinho, who was signed mid-season, was able to double the Chinese Super League champions' advantage after an eye-catching 40-yard set-piece before half-time.
Before that, Kashiwa captain Daisuke Suzuki has already put the visitors ahead as he did an early own goal.
Guangzhou maintained the lead at start of the second half with striker Gao Lin. But Kashiwa striker Masato Kudo cut the deficit, as he hit a close-range effort latter in the game.
Nonetheless, though the Japanese baller pulled a goal back inside during the match's final minute, Guangzhou still has a substantial advantage into the second leg scheduled next month.
On Sept. 15, Guangzhou is scheduled for a last-four clash against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of Gamba Osaka.
The Chinese team, coached by Luiz Felipe Scolari, played without Brazilian striker Elkeson. Meanwhile, Kashiwa was without the injured Naoki Wako and Hidekazu Otani.
Scolari was hired by Guangzhou in June, looking forward to redeem himself a year after his humiliating stint for Brazil at the FIFA World Cup where his team lost to Germany, 7-1.
Guangzhou has beaten Kashiwa, 4-1, during the first leg of the 2013 AFC Champions League semi-finals in Japan, en route to tipping their first-ever continental title.