Shanghai, who are currently locked in a two-way battle for the Chinese domestic title with city rivals Shanghai Shenhua, had taken only a point from their previous two games.

Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar was involved in all three of his side’s goals as they claimed their first win and consigned Mariners to their third defeat in three games.

South Korea’s Gwangju FC stayed top of the East table after beating Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim 3-1.

Gwangju, making their debut in the competition, have a perfect nine points from their three games, while JDT have four.

Shanghai took the lead in only the second minute against Mariners when Wu Lei flicked on an Oscar corner and Li Ang headed it into the net.

The Chinese side, coached by Australian Kevin Muscat, doubled their lead minutes before halftime when Wu redirected Oscar’s shot past 18-year-old goalkeeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen.

Mikael Doka brought Mariners back into it with a superb strike in the second half, only for Shanghai to strike again when Oscar teed up Matias Vargas.

Nicholas Duarte gave the Chinese side a late scare when he pulled one back for Central Coast in second half injury-time.

Thailand’s Buriram United are at home to South Korea’s Pohang Steelers later today, while China’s Shandong Taishan host Japan’s Yokohama F-Marinos.