Tournament top-scorer Ricardo Goulart blasted a brace as 2013 winners Guangzhou Evergrande beat Kashima Antlers 4-3 to near a spot in the AFC Champions League knock-out rounds on Wednesday.

China's record signing kept up his phenomenal strike rate with his fifth and sixth goals in just three games as Fabio Cannavaro's side went five points clear in Group H.

But Guangzhou needed the Brazilian's goals in a pulsating match, which Kashima briefly led before succumbing to the Chinese champions' superior firepower.

Goulart opened the scoring with a looping header on nine minutes, after losing his marker in a free-kick routine straight off the training field.

Kashima hit back through Hiroyuki Takasaki's close finish on the rebound on 36 minutes, before Shoma Doi gave the visitors a shock lead after half-time.

But Guangzhou quickly equalised when Elkeson nodded in a carbon-copy of Goulart's goal from another free-kick, before setting up his fellow Brazilian for the third.

Goulart picked up the loose ball after Elkeson's strong challenge, and he surged into a gap between two defenders before firing in off the upright with his lethal left foot.

Substitute Zhao Xuri scrambled Guangzhou's fourth in injury time before Gaku Shibasaki's bullet header seconds later -- but with no time for Kashima to grab an equaliser.

Holders and group rivals Western Sydney Wanderers drew 0-0 with FC Seoul to leave Guangzhou already eyeing the last 16 with three pool games to go.

Elsewhere, Australian champions Brisbane Roar had to scramble to rescue a point against Suwon Bluewings in Group G despite being two-up in the first 22 minutes.

In another thrilling match, Brandon Borrello and Devante Clut gave the hosts the two-goal cushion before the South Korean side fought back with a brace from Seo Jung-Jin.

North Korean striker Jong Tae-Se appeared to have secured a famous win on 71 minutes, before Clut spared Brisbane's blushes with his equaliser with 10 minutes to go.

In Group F, Theerathon Bunmathan levelled on 62 minutes as Thailand's Buriram United held Japanese treble-winners Gamba Osaka 1-1 away.