Shanghai SIPG FC's Yan Junling (R) saves the ball from Kawasaki Frontale's Tatsuya Hasegawa during a Group H match between China's Shanghai SIPG FC and Japan's Kawasaki Frontale at 2019 AFC Champions league in Shanghai, east China, March 6, 2019. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)
SHANGHAI, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Hulk struck an 89th minute penalty as Shanghai SIPG opened their 2019 AFC Champions League Group H campaign with a 1-0 home win over Kawasaki Frontale here on Wednesday.
The visiting side Kawasaki, the J-League champions, quickly took the upper hand and an early effort from Yu Kobayashi was saved before Hidemasa Morita sent a shot wide.
And the Chinese Super League champions Shanghai were dealt a blow after just six minutes when He Guan was carried off injured to be replaced by Fu Huan.
The visitors continued to inflict pressure on the hosts and Morita again tested Yan Junling from long range in the 12th minute. Another shot was fired at the Shanghai goal in the 19th minute, but Akihiro Ienaga's 20-yard strike drifted just wide.
Yan came to Shanghai's rescue in the 29th minute when he tipped over a Tatsuya Hasegawa shot that looked destined for the top corner.
Hulk seized upon a Kawasaki error in the 33rd minute, but his low shot from distance was comfortably saved by Jung Sung-ryong.
The second half got off to an unfortunate start for the visitors as Kazuaki Mawatari hobbled off with an ankle injury, with Kyohei Noborizato replacing him.
Shanghai soon came close when a corner was headed on by Elkeson. Hulk stretched for the ball at the far post, but the Brazilian could only strike the woodwork from inches out.
The away side threatened again in the 60th minute when Ienaga's deep cross found Hasegawa who headed just wide.
Shanghai then had a golden chance to open the scoring, but Cai Huikang could not direct his header on target after the ball had evaded Jung Sung-ryong.
Kawasaki regained control until, against the run of play, Hulk broke clear from inside his own half. His trickery created space for a shot on goal, but Jung Sung-ryong saved it brilliantly.
Having dominated much of the game, the visitors were stunned with two minutes left when Morita's handball resulted in a penalty for Shanghai and Hulk netted the spot-kick.
Shanghai will next travel to South Korea to play Ulsan Hyundai on March 13 and Kawasaki will have a home tie against Sydney FC.
