The 1-1 draw against the Chinese side in the second leg of the quarter-finals at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday saw Urawa edge through to the last four as the 3-3 aggregate draw proved enough to eliminate Shanghai on away goals. 

But two-time Continental champions Urawa have endured a miserable season domestically, having not recorded a J.League win since July 20, as they have slipped dangerously towards the relegation zone.

The hosts came into the quarter-final tie at Saitama Stadium with a narrow advantage after a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Shanghai last month, and got off on the front foot in front of their home support, before eventually taking the lead on 39 minutes after Koroki's powerful header ricocheted into the net off Shanghai SIPG goalkeeper Yan Junling.

The forward, who is enjoying his most prolific campaign in the AFC Champions League to date, was on target in the first leg against Shanghai as well as netting a brace against Ulsan Hyundai in the Round of 16.

The result meant the quarter-final tie ended in a 3-3 aggregate draw and, with Urawa scoring twice in Shanghai in the first leg last month, the 2007 and 2017 champions advanced to the next round, where they will face either Kashima Antlers or Guangzhou Evergrande.

A 1-1 draw at Saitama Stadium was enough to earn the two-time champions a place in the last four on the away goals rule after the quarter-final meeting between the sides ended in a 3-3 aggregate draw.

And while Urawa’s two goals in the first leg in Shanghai were key to the victory, Otsuki stressed that the experience shown by the likes of Shusaku Nishikawa and Shinzo Koroki was of vital importance in Reds’ success.

The Chinese Super League leaders advanced to the last four of the competition on the away goals rule thanks to Anderson Talisca’s 40th minute header at Kashima Soccer Stadium as the teams shared a 1-1 draw, both on the night and on aggregate.

And with the first leg at Guangzhou’s Tianhe Stadium having ended in a scoreless draw, the Brazilian’s goal was enough to set up a semi-final clash with two-time winners Urawa Red Diamonds in the next phase of the competition.

Oiwa, who led the eight-time J.League champions to their first continental crown last year, watched on as his team exited the competition on the away goals rule after an enthralling clash at Kashima Soccer Stadium.

Anderson Talisca’s first half header was decisive despite Serginho’s 51st minute equaliser as the Guangzhou striker’s away goal proved the difference between the teams after the goalless draw in the first leg last month.

A goalless stalemate in the first leg at Guangzhou Evergrande last month looked a good result against a team with a formidable home record.

Ultimately, though, the failure to score at Tianhe Stadium proved crucial as Anderson Talisca's opener in the return meeting on Wednesday proved a hurdle too high.

Althought Serginho did restore parity on the night for Kashima in the second half, the defending champions were unable to find a second and were eliminated on the away goals rule.