Domingues brace helps Kashiwa overcome Mariners

Brazilian midfielder Leandro Domingues scored twice as Japanese Emperor’s Cup winners Kashiwa Reysol maintained their 100% AFC Champions League record with a 3-1 comeback win over Australia’s Central Coast Mariners in Group H on Wednesday.Patrick Zwaanswijk’s early header had given Central Coast the ideal start at Hitachi Stadium as the A-League Premiers looked to build on their goalless draw with Suwon Bluewings two weeks ago only for Leandro Domingues (pictured) to respond for the home side midway through the first half.And after Kenta Kano completed the turnaround for Kashiwa midway through the second half, Leandro Domingues ensured Kashiwa followed up their 1-0 win over China’s Guizhou Renhe with the goal of the night with two minutes remaining.Central Coast keeper Mathew Ryan had to be on his toes early on to deny Tatsuya Masushima before the visitors took full advantage to open the scoring after eight minutes as Zwaanswijk’s towering header from Oliver Bozanic’s corner gave Kashiwa custodian Takanori Sugeno no chance.But the Mariners’ lead lasted just 12 minutes as Leandro Domingues raced in behind the Central Coast defence and coolly slid the ball under an exposed Ryan from Hidekazu Otani’s slide rule pass.The Mariners, though, continued to pose a threat from set-pieces and 10 minutes before the break John Hutchinson’s downward header was blocked by Sugeno before Masato Fujita completed the clearance off the goalline.Anthony Caceres created the first real chance of the second half following a strong run and shot from the Mariners midfielder before Reysol began to assert themselves on the contest as Masato Kudo fired into the side netting from a promising position just after the hour mark.But the pressure finally paid off Reysol took the lead for the first time in the contest after 67 minutes as Fujita’s inviting cross into the area was swept home from the edge of the area by Kano with the visitors appealing for offside.And Reysol doubled their lead with two minutes remaining as Leandro Domingues’ eye-catching volley from another Fujita cross beat Ryan from the edge of the area.The Mariners were presented with a chance to set up a frantic finish, but Central Coast’s recent woes from the penalty spot continued as McGlinchey’s effort from 12 yards was saved by the feet of Sugeno.