Hulk saves SIPG in AFC Champions League

Shanghai SIPG climbed out of an early hole in the quarterfinals of AFC Champions League as the Chinese Super League elites staged a second-half show to hold Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan 2-2 here on Tuesday.

The J-League side surged into 2-0 after 30 minutes, but SIPG fought back in the second half as Hulk converted two penalties.

Hulk strikes the penalty during the Asian Champions League quarter-final first leg game between Shanghai SIPG and Urawa Red Diamonds in Shanghai on Aug 27, 2019. [Photo: IC]

SIPG were 1-0 down almost from the beginning when goalkeeper Yan Junling failed to hold Kazuki Nagasawa's free-kick as the ball slipped out of his hands and Tomoaki Makino turned in easily.

Urawa doubled the lead on the 30 minutes when Shinzo Koroki sprung the offside trap to gather a long pass from Nagasawa, smashing in a volley from a tight angle.

SIPG were dealt another blow before the break when Hulk was booked and the Brazilian hitman will miss the second leg due to suspension.

SIPG made a tactic change after the break by hauling off defender Fu Huan and throwing on striker Lv Wenjun.

The hosts pulled one goal just 4 minutes into the second half when Oscar was charged down in the box, and Hulk stepped up to convert it with both power and precision.

Hulk should have scored another in the 52nd minute but his attempt rattled the woodwork.

It was just a warning, because the defending champions of CSL finally found the second in the 71st minute when Lv earned another penalty and Hulk kept his cool to complete the brace.

The second leg sets to kick off on Sep. 17.