Brazilian Rafael Silva snatched an early winner as Japan’s Urawa Reds beat star-studded Shanghai SIPG 1-0 at home on Wednesday to set up an Asian Champions League final against Saudi giants Al Hilal.
The Reds and Al Hilal will face off in next month’s two-leg final after a 2-1 aggregate win ended Japan’s miserable recent run in Asia’s premier club competition.
The winner of that final will feature in the FIFA Club World Cup this December in Abu Dhabi.
Silva pounced after just 11 minutes in Saitama when he met a Yosuke Kashiwagi corner to power a header past Shanghai goalkeeper Yan Junling for what proved to be the only goal of a fractious encounter.
Japanese clubs have struggled to make an impact in the competition since Urawa’s victory in 2007 and Gamba Osaka’s triumph a year later.
Although Shanghai largely dominated possession, with Brazil internationals Oscar and Hulk threatening in spells, the visitors lacked end product, allowing Urawa to complete a relatively untroubled victory.
Hulk, who tops the Champions League scoring charts with nine goals, brought a smart save from Reds keeper Shusaku Nishikawa with a dipping free kick after 24 minutes.
But the Reds could have added further goals in the second half as a Tomoaki Makino header clipped the bar and Shinzo Koroki saw a close-range effort brilliantly tipped over by Yan.
Another Hulk rocket 12 minutes from time forced a decent block from Nishikawa, who then reacted quickly to smother Elkeson’s follow-up.
But Shanghai’s performance had Portuguese coach Andre Villas-Boas ranting on the touchline a day after the former Chelsea boss turned 40.
“It was a great effort from the whole team to keep a clean sheet,” said Urawa captain Yuki Abe after the Reds ended 10 years of hurt in the ACL.
“We knew the first goal would be crucial but we came into the match with no fear and got the result. Hopefully we can do it again in the final.”
Al Hilal completed a 6-2 aggregate win over Iran’s Persepolis on Tuesday after scoring four unanswered goals in the first leg.