The Central Coast Mariners have reached the Asian Champions League knock-out phase for the first time in their history despite being thrashed 3-0 by Kashiwa Reysol.

Second-half goals from Masato Kudo, Cleo and Leandro Domingues left the Mariners with their hearts in their mouths on Tuesday night, but Suwon Bluewings did the A-League champions a favour by hanging on for a 2-2 draw with Guizhou Renhe.

China's Guizhou equalised in the 87th minute but they could not find the all-important winner that would have taken them through at the Mariners' expense behind Kashiwa, who were already qualified as winners of Group H.

"That softens the blow a little bit, but Kashiwa are a quality side," said Mariners coach Graham Arnold.

"I thought we played very well up until the first goal and we had a chance with one getting cleared off the line but Kashiwa played very well. We're through to the last 16, that's the main thing.