Mix Diskerud's audacious backheel put Ulsan Hyundai into the Asian Champions League last 16 with a game to spare as they beat Sydney FC 1-0 on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Brazil star Hulk's double kept the rest of Group H competitive heading into the final round of games as Shanghai SIPG drew 2-2 with defending champions Kawasaki Frontale.

Norwegian-American Diskerud's cheeky finish on the hour-mark condemned rock-bottom Sydney to their second defeat in five games, and threatened to send them crashing out.

But Hulk threw the Aussies a lifeline with a late headed equaliser that meant second-placed SIPG, Kawasaki and Sydney can all join Ulsan in the knockout phase.

SIPG started with a bang when in the seventh minute, Oscar won the ball on the edge of his own box and fed Hulk who surged forward, beating one defender for pace and rounding keeper Jung Sung-ryong.

But the lead lasted just six minutes before Kawasaki's Brazilian forward Leandro Damiao picked his way through traffic in the opposition box with a skilful one-two and smart finish.

SIPG's Zhang Wei saw a header come back off the crossbar but after the break, Shogo Taniguchi put Kawasaki 2-1 up as he got his head to a whipped cross on 66 minutes.

However, they were ahead for just five minutes before Hulk grabbed the equaliser, nodding in at the far post from fellow Brazil international Oscar's hanging diagonal ball.

SIPG entertain unbeaten Ulsan for their final group game on May 21, while Kawasaki face a tough trip to Sydney as their title defence hangs in the balance.