Two goals up to 3-2 down, Perth appeared to have squandered the opportunity to claim their first-ever AFC Champions League points until Neil Kilkenny dispatched a late penalty to ensure they at least picked up something for their efforts.

For Shenhua, meanwhile, failure to get what would have been a crucial victory means they go into their final Group F game against table-toppers Ulsan Hyundai needing to better FC Tokyo's result against Perth in order to advance to the Round of 16.

Letting slip a two goal advantage to end up with a point might have most team captains reflect on a tie with disappointment, but Perth icon Castro was in an upbeat mood following the six-goal thriller in Group F.

The reason for the 38-year-old's positivity? The performance of the young tyros in the team, some of whom were not even born when the Spaniard was making his professional debut in his homeland.

Knowing a win over the already-eliminated Australians would significantly boost their chances of securing a place in the Round of 16, Shenhua fell two goals behind, then scored three of their own in 11 minutes to take the lead in the Group F tie before a late penalty from Neil Kilkenny earned Perth their first point of the tournament.

Shenhua are now level on points with second-placed FC Tokyo and no closer to learning their Round of 16 stage fate, with Thursday’s simultaneous Matchday Six clashes to settle once and for all which team will join group winners Ulsan Hyundai in the next round.

A pair of superb free-kicks from Bruno Fornaroli and Carlo Armiento had the Australians in sight of their first ever win the competition, but Shenhua came roaring back with a brace from Givoanni Moreno, and Yu Hanchao then had them ahead in the 73rd minute, before Neil Kilkenny salvaged Perth’s maiden point from the penalty spot.

The result means Choi Kang-hee’s side are level with second-placed FC Tokyo on seven points, with Thursday’s final round of Group F matches to determine who advances.

Goals from Jonathan Viera, Renato Augusto and Zhang Yuning were only replied by Yun Ju-tae’s late strike as the two sides played out an exciting match with plenty of chances at both ends.

The Korea Republic side came from behind to beat FC Tokyo 2-1, installing themselves as guaranteed Group F winners with a game to spare thanks to a spectacular brace from Yoon Bit-garam, who supplied the winning goal with five minutes remaining.

The Chinese side stand on the brink of the knockout stage after accruing nine points, with third-placed Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, who are five points further back, the only team who can still change the Group H qualification make-up.

Shanghai SIPG have it all to play for at Al Janoub Stadium, but Sydney FC will be competing for pride only after suffering back to back defeats in their two prior outings in Doha, and Pereira is eager to ensure his side don’t fall victim to an upset.