Guangzhou were held to a 0-0 draw by Go Oiwa’s side on Wednesday, meaning a 1-1 in Japan on September 18 would be enough for the two time champions to advance to the semi-finals for the third time in eight appearances in the competition.

But while the Italian knows a result of that nature will see his team advance at the defending champions’ expense, he still plans to go for the win at Kashima Soccer Stadium.

Photo: Al Nassr

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.

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.

The Riyadh-based side failed to score for the second game running in the competition, having lost the Round of 16 second leg 1-0 to Al Ahli earlier this month. They had scored in six consecutive matches prior to that.

Wingers Andre Carrillo and Salem Al Dawsari provided creativity down the two flanks and attacking pair Sebastian Giovinco and Bafetimbi Gomis combined well to create chances through the centre, but the Al Hilal players wasted chance after chance to a combination of profligacy and impressive goalkeeping by Al Ittihad’s Fawaz Al Qarni.

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.

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.