HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) -- Retiring captain Toshihiro Aoyama scored as Sanfrecce Hiroshima wrapped up the Asian Champions League Two group stage with a 4-1 home rout of Hong Kong's Eastern on Thursday.

Already through to the last 16, Hiroshima comfortably topped Group E with five wins and a draw and geared up nicely for Sunday's crucial J-League season finale, away to Gamba Osaka, where they hope to overtake leaders Vissel Kobe, who are a point ahead.

Midfielder Aoyama, a 38-year-old one-club man who played for Japan at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, swept home the 36th-minute leveler with his left foot at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima after Takaaki Shichi's low drive from 20 meters out spilled into his path.

"It felt as if the gods told me, 'You can have a goal,'" said Aoyama, a three-time J1 winner who greeted the fans after the final home game of his 21-year career. "I wanted to express my gratitude with my performance."

Eastern took a surprise lead through Ng Yu Hei's 10th-minute solo goal, but Hiroshima turned the game around with Goncalo Paniencia's 53rd-minute header.

Yotaro Nakajima swept in their third to cap a fine passing move four minutes later and Cyprus forward Pieros Sotiriou curled inside the far post from the edge of the box to complete the scoring in the 73rd minute.

"I'll carry my entire career with me to Osaka," Aoyama said. "I only have the image of retiring holding the J-League trophy, there's no other choice."