Oscar: We can overcome Hulk absence against Urawa

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Brazilian star Oscar insists that Shanghai SIPG can get over the suspension of compatriot and leading scorer Hulk and defeat hosts Urawa Red Diamonds in their 2019 AFC Champions League quarter-final second leg on Tuesday.

The two South Americans have once again been on top of their game in the Continental competition and both played vital roles in the first leg comeback that saw the Chinese champions restore parity after going into the interval two goals down.

Oscar drew the foul from countryman Mauricio Antonio that led to Hulk's first successful penalty, before the latter then converted a second spot-kick following a handball.

However the former Chelsea FC man – who had for two-and-a-half seasons been a part of a successful Brazilian trio along with Elkeson and Hulk – will line-up at Saitama Stadium as the sole representative of his country.

After the Round of 16, Elkeson joined domestic rivals Guangzhou Evergrande, while Hulk will be suspended for the tie.

"Of course we will miss Hulk from the side because he's one of the best players in the team," said Oscar, who recently turned 28 years old.

"But we have other good players who will give their best and their full concentration. Ultimately, it doesn't matter who plays, we have to show our performance as a team – and we all know we have to win this game.

"We'll miss him, but nevertheless we are prepared to go to Saitama and get the victory."

Oscar and Hulk were also part of the Shanghai SIPG side that visited Urawa in the 2017 AFC Champions League knockout stages, a recollection that the midfielder admits is not a positive one due to their semi-final elimination at the hands of the J.League club.

"The memories are not good, of course, because we lost the game - even though we put in a good performance," said Oscar.

"Now, though, it's a different team and there's different players for both clubs.

"In the first leg last month it's true we lost the first half 2-0, but we can take some confidence from the way we raised our game in the second half.

"If we can play the second leg like we did the second half of the game in Shanghai we have a good chance to get victory."

While there will be onus on Oscar to raise his game even further in the absence of Hulk, another foreign import could play a key role.

Marko Arnautovic joined Shanghai SIPG from West Ham United in a headline-making summer transfer, and the Austria forward had his first taste of the AFC Champions League last month.

"Marko has just arrived and has only played a few games for us," added Oscar.

"I've known him for a long time, though, and played against him in England. He has a lot of qualities.

"I hope he can help our team win titles and improve our team more and more."

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