Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Saitama: Ahead of the Group F meeting with Urawa Red Diamonds, Shanghai SIPG will be sweating over the fitness of star forward Hulk who was withdrawn after 20 minutes in Saturday’s Chinese Super League clash with Shandong Luneng.
The Brazilian has been involved in more goals than any other player in the AFC Champions League this season, chalking up three goals and two assists, and could be a big miss for the Group F leaders in their return meeting with Urawa, who they defeated 3-2 in Shanghai on Matchday Three.
Urawa, too, will be without a key attacker with Shinzoh Kohrogi suspended following his dismissal at Shanghai Stadium. The J.League side have been in good form in their domestic championship with four wins in their last five games and, moreover, Urawa have never lost a home game against Chinese opposition in the AFC Champions League.
A second straight win for Shanghai over Urawa, however, would be enough to see the Super League side qualify for the last 16 with two games to spare.