Pereira’s side trailed at halftime to goals from Tomoaki Makino and Shinzo Koroki, but a pair of penalties from Brazilian striker Hulk salvaged a draw for the home side to keep alive their hopes of progressing to the last four when the teams reconvene at Saitama Stadium on September 17.

Two away goals but a 2-0 lead conceded ensures neither Urawa nor Shanghai SIPG will feel completely content after an intriguing first leg at Shanghai Stadium.

While Elkeson has starred for the Guangdong club in the Chinese Super League since returning following a three-and-a-half year stint with Shanghai SIPG, the first leg of the quarter-final against the holders on Wednesday was his first game back on the Continent. 

But, after an entertaining first half in front of a sea of red at Tianhe Stadium, the game petered out somewhat after the interval as Guangzhou failed to record a victory at home for the first time this campaign and the Brazil-born forward endured a quiet night.

The game marked a rematch of the 2017 Round of 16 which Guangzhou won on away goals, and while both teams had their chances on Wednesday, the closest anyone came to breaking the deadlock was when Kashima’s Ryohei Shirasaki’s long-range effort struck the woodwork in the dying moments.

But it was two-time champions Guangzhou who had more of the play, with Brazilian Talisca forcing goalkeeper Kwoun Sun-tae into action on a couple of occasions in a match that was played out in humid conditions in Guangdong.

Guangzhou were held to a 0-0 draw by Go Oiwa’s side on Wednesday, meaning a 1-1 in Japan on September 18 would be enough for the two time champions to advance to the semi-finals for the third time in eight appearances in the competition.

But while the Italian knows a result of that nature will see his team advance at the defending champions’ expense, he still plans to go for the win at Kashima Soccer Stadium.

Urawa took a two-goal lead into the half time break with efforts from Tomoaki Makino and Shinzo Koroki, but Hulk’s brace from the spot in the second 45 minutes leaves the Japanese side with a slender advantage due to the away goals rule going into the second game.

The two-time champions can progress with victory or a scoreless draw at Saitama Stadium on September 17, while a 1-1 draw would also ensure Tsuyoshi Otsuki’s side advance to the last four for the fourth time in the club’s history.

At half-time, Shanghai SIPG were facing the end of their proud unbeaten home record that had stretched to 19 matches in the AFC Champions League.

Two goals down after an early strike from Tomoaki Makino and Shinzo Koroki's sixth of the tournament on the half hour mark, the Chinese Super League side's best-laid plays looked in disarray after defensive errors.

But with a front three of Hulk, Marko Arnautovic and Oscar, the hosts had the firepower to come back into the tie following the interval.