In the AFC Champions League, SIPG were at home to FC Tokyo trailing 2-1 after the opening leg. But all Wu Lei and his mates needed was a 1-nil victory to advance on away goals.
SHANGHAI, May 24, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Players of China's Shanghai SIPG celebrate after winning the second round of 1/8 finals against Japan's FC Tokyo at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Champions Legaue in Shanghai, China, on May 24, 2016. Shanghai SIPG won 1-0. (Xinhua/Fan Jun)
SIPG in red have had a good debut in the Champions League, making it to the knockout stages, but the club were hoping to continue that run into the quarter-finals.
The hosts first chance comes in the 19th minute as Dario Conca's inswinging free-kick was met by the head of Kim Jun-yong, but Akimoto Yota tipsthe ball over the crossbar.
FC Tokyo should have gone in front in the 55th minute. Ryoichi Maeda was played into the area by Naotake Hanyu, but the onrushing Yan Junling saves the forward's low shot with his legs.
Shanghai were in a desperate attempt to find the vital winner. With two minutes to go both Wu Lei and Li Haowen had their shots deflected, before the danger was finally cleared with an acrobatic bicycle-kick inside the box from Hashimoto Kento.
SHANGHAI, May 24, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Wang Shenchao (L) of China's Shanghai SIPG competes during the second round of 1/8 finals against Japan's FC Tokyo at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Champions Legaue in Shanghai, China, on May 24, 2016. Shanghai SIPG won 1-0. (Xinhua/Fan Jun)
As the game entered stoppage-time, Tokyo buckled -- Elkeson's powerful shot from the edge of the area was blocked by a diving Akimoto, but this time the ball went only as far as Wu Lei who fired past the helpless goalkeeper.
1-0 the final score saw the tie finish 2-2 on aggregate -- the Chinese Super League side advancing into the last eight courtesy of the away goals rule.
"This is the first time we have played in the AFC Champions League. I'm very excited that we have made it to the last eight. I believe the fans are satisfied with the result. Although I ran out of energy towards the end of the match, I got a feeling that I could score, and I'm happy I did," said Wu Lei.
In other action, Leonardo scores a brace for Jeonbuk Motors in the 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory. The South Korean side advance into the quarter-finals on 3-2 on aggregate. The quarter-finals will resume in August.
