Urawa hold a slender advantage after the first leg of the quarter-final clash in Shanghai last month, when the two away goals earned in the 2-2 draw against Vitor Pereira’s side left the two-time champions needing only a low-scoring draw to advance to the last four for the fourth time since 2007.

Victory, of course, would take Urawa through but they will also advance should they notch up either a goalless draw or a 1-1 tie thanks to the goals scored by Tomoaki Makino and Shinzo Koroki in the first 45 minutes in China PR.

Two first-half goals had stunned the home crowd at Shanghai Stadium last month when Tomoaki Makino and Shinzo Koroki gave visitors Urawa Red Diamonds a 2-0 lead at the break, but two penalties emphatically converted by Hulk after the restart saw the scores finish level in China PR.

With the away goal advantage and in front of their home support, Urawa have been left in a strong position to advance to the last four for the fourth time in seven appearances, while Shanghai SIPG would be looking to reach just their second semi-final.

The two South Americans have once again been on top of their game in the Continental competition and both played vital roles in the first leg comeback that saw the Chinese champions restore parity after going into the interval two goals down.

Oscar drew the foul from countryman Mauricio Antonio that led to Hulk’s first successful penalty, before the latter then converted a second spot-kick following a handball.

Many of Urawa Reds current side know what it takes, and what it feels like, to be AFC Champions League winners. Less than two years ago, the likes of Shusaku Nishikawa, Tomoaki Makino and Shinzo Koroki lifted the trophy into the Saitama night sky.

Two from that squad, captain Yuki Abe and Tadaaki Hirakawa, had also won the title 10 years earlier; a success that had a profound impact on current defender Hashioka, the youngest player in the first team.

Going into the matches, only Al Nassr start with a lead while the other three fixtures will kick off all square. Ahead of what promises to be an intriguing few days packed with drama and tension, the-AFC.com has picked five things to look out for.

The last eight tie is finely poised after the first leg of the 'Saudi Clasico' ended 0-0 three weeks ago and Chilean Villanueva, speaking after Al Ittihad fell to a shock 2-1 defeat to Damac in the Saudi Pro League on Friday, said the Jeddah-based club can't afford a similar performance against Al Hilal.

Al Nassr will go into the tie at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha protecting a 2-1 lead in what promises to be an epic encounter between the league champions of Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Both had good news to celebrate during the international break with midfielder Nam Tae-hee having resumed training for Qatar Stars League champions Al Sadd while Moroccan forward Abderrazak Hamdallah saw game time for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League clash against Al Shabab on Friday.