Brazilian forward Leandro scored twice and set up another as Kashiwa Reysol came from behind to beat Suwon Samsung 3-2 away in the AFC Champions League last 16 on Tuesday. Another Korean side, K League Classic champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, also had a disappointing home first leg when they conceded a late penalty to draw 1-1 with Beijing Guoan.
At Suwon World Cup Stadium, the hosts made a dream start as Chong Te-Se's pull-back from the left by-line was stabbed home by Yeom Ki-Hun less than two minutes into the game.
But the visitors got back on level terms in the 12th minute when Leandro chipped the ball forward for an unmarked Akimi Barada to beat 'keeper Jung Sung-ryong on his near post.
Kashiwa were then awarded a penalty on the half-hour mark after Kosuke Taketomi was flattened by Baek Ji-Hoon's robust challenge, and Leandro stepped up to fire past Jung.
Suwon were forced onto the offensive but they were caught on the counter-attack 10 minutes into the second half as Cristiano's cross from the right was turned in by Leandro for his second goal of the game.
Chong gave his side hope when he headed in a cross by Yeom, but Daisuke Suzuki made a heroic block to deny Leo the equaliser and Yeom saw his stoppage-time free-kick tipped over as Kashiwa maintained their advantage ahead of next week's return game in Japan.