Shanghai SIPG earns 1-1 draw with Urawa Red Diamonds

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Hulk scored for SIPG as the Shanghai side earned a 1-1 draw with Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in the first leg of the AFC Champions League semi-finals.

The Chinese Super League (CSL) club wa s playing in the continent's last four for the first time, after eliminating two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande on penalties in the round of eight. And the Red Eagles would try to remain unbeaten on their home field in this competition.

These two teams split a pair of matches in the Group Stage, with the Chinese squad taking a 3-2 thriller at Shanghai Stadium.

Hulk celebrates after scoring. /Photo via sina.com‍

Coach Andre Villas-Boas would watch his men squander their first chance in this game as Hulk and fellow Brazilian Elkeson got tangled up in the 10th minute, before the visitors cleared the ball.

SIPG would have an opportunity to atone for that slip-up five minutes later. Hulk smashed a rocket into the bottom right corner past Urawa keeper Shusaku Nishikawa, showing why he is the tournament's scoring leader. The burly Brazilian put the hosts in front with his ninth goal of this year's Asian competition, bringing most of the crowd to their feet.

Sloppy defense soon came back to bite the Chinese Super League club. Yosuke Kashiwagi fired a half-volley past Chen Wei in the 28th minute to make it 1-1. Shinzo Koroki redirected a long chip right into Kashiwagi's path to set up the equalizer.

Oscar then had a chance on a free kick, but was denied by the woodwork. The former Chelsea midfielder's curling effort clanked off the right post.

Wu Lei also came close in the dying minutes, but the Chinese striker fired the ball wide. SIPG settled for a 1-1 draw. The Red Diamonds will host the return leg October 18.

1065km