Shanghai: A rematch from the 2016 AFC Champions League quarter-finals sees Shanghai SIPG face two-time winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the first leg of the Round of 16 at Shanghai Stadium on Wednesday.
The clash – which pits together the league champions of China and Korea Republic – gives Shanghai the chance to avenge the 5-0 loss they suffered at the hands of eventual champions Jeonbuk on what was their debut campaign three years ago.
Oscar netted a hat-trick as Vitor Pereira’s team recorded their own 5-0 victory over another Korean side, Ulsan Hyundai, on Matchday Six to seal the runners-up spot in Group H and advance to the knockout rounds for the fourth successive season.
Jeonbuk, meanwhile, secured their safe passage to the last 16 with a game to spare after a pair of wins over both Urawa Red Diamonds and Beijing FC ensured they finished on top of Group G.
Shanghai go into the encounter on the back of a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Guangzhou Evergrande on Friday that saw the reigning Chinese Super League champions slip to third in the standings.
Kim Shin-wook scored the only goal of the game as Jeonbuk saw off Incheon United 1-0 on Saturday to record their fifth successive K League 1 victory and stay above Ulsan by virtue of goal difference.
While Shanghai are making their fourth appearance in the knockout rounds, they have some way to go to match their opponents, who have now progressed beyond the group stage 11 times – more than any other Korean team.
Source: the-afc.com