Shanghai: Shanghai SIPG could only pick up a 1-1 draw at home to Urawa Red Diamonds in the first leg of their 2017 AFC Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, but captain on the night Cai Huikang (pictured left) is not panicking.
Hulk gave SIPG the lead with a thunderbolt in the 15th minute at Shanghai Stadium, but there was to be no repeat of the 4-0 quarter-final first leg defeat of Guangzhou Evergrande for SIPG as Urawa struck back through Yosuke Kashiwagi before half time.
That away goal gives Urawa a slight edge ahead of the second leg on October 18, but midfielder Cai knows a lot can change in 90 minutes of football.
“We still have the second leg of the semi-final, so this is not the end of the world,” the China international said.
“I hope we can recover soon in training during these three weeks and improve ourselves for the second leg and create better chances.”
SIPG had a host of opportunities to add to the score – especially in the second half when Oscar hit the post from a free-kick and Wu Lei went agonisingly close with a late effort – but were unable to make their dominance pay.
That fact left the 27-year-old with some regrets on a night when the hosts were looking to take a big step towards a first ever Champions League final, and he is now hoping his team can fine-tune in order to put things right in Saitama next month.
“We had a good opportunity today with good weather conditions at our home stadium, but we did not take that chance. First of all, we need to know what the problems are within the team.”
Even so, as several teams have shown so far in this competition – not least Urawa, who turned around two-goal deficits from their Round of 16 and quarter-final first legs to make it to the semis – Cai knows nothing is decided until both legs are over.
“It was a pity this game ended as a draw, but this is not the worst result. I hope this can lead to a good result in the end. Now I am wishing that the team can play well in the away game and reach the final.”
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com