The Portuguese coach, who took over from Andre Villas Boas ahead of the 2018 season and led the club to their first-ever title last season when they won the domestic championship, put his emotions on display as Shanghai advanced to the last eight for the third time in four seasons.

Oscar scored from the spot in the fifth round of penalties to take Shanghai through after a 1-1 draw on the night meant the tie finished 2-2 on aggregate and Pereira was overjoyed with his team’s success.

Hulk was in inspirational form as SIPG prevailed against Jeonbuk, picking up the Most Valuable Player award as Vitor Pereira’s side eventually progressed to the last eight via a penalty shootout.

And while his compatriot Oscar scored the winning spot-kick following the 2-2 aggregate draw between the sides, it was Hulk who regularly rampaged through the K League team and who could have sealed Shanghai’s progress both in regular and extra-time.

Oscar netted in the final round of penalties to give SIPG the win after Lee Dong-gook had seen his spot-kick saved by Yan Junling as Vitor Pereira’s side joined compatriots Guangzhou Evergrande in the last eight.

SIPG progressed after the second leg ended in a 1-1 draw at the end of 90 minutes, with Hulk cancelling out Kim Shin-wook’s opener for Jeonbuk to leave the tie level 2-2 on aggregate, with 30 minutes of extra time unable to separate the teams.

Last year’s winners had a pair of goals from Shoma Doi to thank for their win on the away goals rule that ensured the game ended in a 3-3 draw at the end of the two legs, and Oiwa was happy Kashima will be in the draw for the last eight in Kuala Lumpur on July 2.

“The most important point about today’s game is that we are now through to the next round,” he said.

“I know everyone will have different views about all that transpired during the match, but I hope we can build on this and regroup for our next J.League game against Hiroshima, then the quarter-finals.”

The Italian’s team needed a penalty shootout to book their place in the last eight after Shandong overturned Guangzhou’s 2-1 first leg advantage to take the game into extra-time, where both teams found the net again before penalties were required.

And with Zhong Yihao scoring in the sixth round of spot-kicks after Liu Dianzuo had saved Cui Peng’s effort for Shandong, Guangzhou saw off their compatriots having exited the competition at the hands of Shanghai SIPG and Tianjin Quanjian in each of the last two seasons.

Down 2-1 from the first leg in Saitama Stadium, Urawa looked to face a tough task at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium where their hosts were yet to concede in the 2019 tournament and had won five in a row on the continent.

Moreover, Urawa hadn't won a knockout round match away from home since their first title-winning campaign in 2007.