YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) -- Yan Matheus scored late in the first half and Anderson Lopes netted a penalty in injury time as Yokohama F Marinos continued their strong run of results in the Asian Champions League Elite with a 2-0 win over South Korea's Pohang Steelers on Wednesday.

Since kicking off the ACLE league stage with a nightmare 7-3 defeat against South Korea's Gwangju, John Hutchinson's men have bounced back impressively with three wins and a draw that have lifted them to third in the East standings.

The hosts dominated at Nissan Stadium against a Pohang outfit resting many regular players ahead of their appearance in the Korea Cup final on Saturday. The visiting side nevertheless defended doggedly to prevent a bigger scoring margin.

Matheus made the breakthrough in the 41st minute, finishing with an assist from Lopes after Ken Matsubara won possession in attacking territory.

Lopes doubled the lead from the spot in the 95th minute after Pohang's Lee Dong Hyeop gave away the penalty while defending a corner kick.

Marinos keeper Hiroki Iikura saved a penalty attempt by Kim Myeong Jun late in injury time to preserve the clean sheet.

"Pohang made it really difficult for us tonight," Marinos manager Hutchinson said. "We had good movement, good forward runs and we obviously just tried to break down those low blocks that they created. (It was) not an outstanding performance, but a good performance."