Yu Hai scored the only goal of the game as Shanghai SIPG secured their third successive appearance in the AFC Champions League following a 1-0 victory over Thailand's Chiangrai United in Tuesday's play-off round.

The visitors could have gone ahead as early as the 11th minute at Shanghai Stadium when Piyaphon Phanichakul cut the ball back for captain Gilberto Macena, but the Brazilian skewed wide from 12 yards when he should have done better.

Shanghai were dominating possession and started to ask questions as half-time neared, with Oscar's dinked cross headed wide by Lu Wenjun and Odil Ahmedov's volley from distance gathered by goalkeeper Chatchai Budprom as the sides went in goalless.

But the hosts then went in front three minutes after the restart, despite the best efforts of Chatchai, who saved Yu's initial attempt from Hulk's corner and Shi Ke's follow-up effort, only for defender Yu to be on hand to head home from close range.

Shanghai sought to put distance between the sides as Oscar slipped in Elkeson, who shot narrowly wide midway through the half. But with only one goal in it, Chiangrai remained hopeful and Brazilian Cleiton Silva saw his shot deflected out for a corner with just over 15 minutes to play.

Wu Lei came close late on and Hulk fired over soon after as the game ended 1-0 to mean last year's semi-finalists Shanghai join Japan's Kawasaki Frontale, Australia's Melbourne Victory and Ulsan Hyundai of Korea Republic in Group F when the competition proper gets underway in two weeks' time.

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