Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Shanghai: Japan’s Kashima Antlers booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2018 AFC Champions League on Wednesday, edging Shanghai SIPG of China PR 4-3 on aggregate despite losing their Round of 16 second leg 2-1.
It only took seven minutes for Hulk to get this clash at Shanghai Stadium up and running, as the Brazilian gleefully capitalised on a Gen Shoji error to put Shanghai 1-0 up from close range.
With Kashima having won the first leg 3-1 in Japan, they were still ahead on aggregate but knew another goal from Shanghai would see Vitor Pereira’s side snatch the advantage on away goals, and Mu Kanazaki missed a glorious chance to settle the visitors’ nerves in the 30th minute, arcing an effort past the far post after barging his way into the box from the left flank.
Yuma Suzuki fired another warning after beating the offside trap in the 36th minute, and six minutes later Kashima did level things up on the night and re-establish their two-goal advantage in the tie when Shoma Doi cheekily flicked home a low cross from the left by Koki Anzai.