Kawasaki Frontale midfielder Kento Tachibanada is pictured in action during an Asian Champions League group-stage match against United City FC of the Philippines at Lokomotiv Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on July 2, 2021. (Kyodo)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Kento Tachibanada netted a hat trick and Kaoru Mitoma a brace Friday as Kawasaki Frontale steamrolled Filipino side United City FC 8-0 in the Asian Champions League.

       Ryota Oshima, Leandro Damiao and Yasuto Wakizaka also scored for the J-League champions, who appear destined for the knockout stage of the tournament following the emphatic win at Tashkent's Lokomotiv Stadium.

       Toru Oniki's side took a 2-0 lead into the break after Mitoma opened the scoring in the 33rd minute and Oshima added another nine minutes later.

       Damiao found the net five minutes into the second half, shortly before Tachibanada bagged the first of his three goals.

       Kawasaki have won all three games against their Group I opponents while amassing 18 goals at the halfway mark of the group stage.

       They hold a three-point lead at the top of the group over South Korean club Daegu FC, who defeated Beijing Guoan 5-0 in the day's other Group I clash.

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