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.

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.

Neither side was able to find a way past the other’s defence in a game affected by hot and humid conditions in the southern Chinese city and they will face off again next month with all to play for in the second leg at Kashima Soccer Stadium.

Elkeson made his first start for Guangzhou in the AFC Champions League in over three-and-a-half years after returning to the club from Shanghai SIPG earlier in the summer, but the Brazil-born forward was peripheral for much of the opening period as neither side was able to find a way through.

Two-time champions Urawa stunned the hosts after just three minutes at Shanghai Stadium when Makino pounced on a goalkeeping error to put his side in front, before Shinzo Koroki doubled their advantage on the half hour with his sixth goal of the campaign.

But Hulk converted from the spot just minutes after the restart following Mauricio Antonio’s foul on Oscar and the Urawa defender was then adjudged to have handled in the box with 20 minutes to play as the Brazilian's second half went from bad to worse.

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.

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.

Ali Asad had given the Qataris a 21st minute lead but it was countered by Abdulrahman Al Dossari’s close range strike a minute from the break, before Giuliano sealed the win for Al Nassr with a fine header in the 72nd minute on Tuesday.