“I asked the players to go forward because I learned a lesson from the League Cup,” said Otsuki, referencing his side’s recent exit from the domestic competition at the hands of Kashima Antlers.

“In the League Cup we couldn’t go forward, even though we were playing at home. So I told the players to attack. The players did really well."

“I said to players like Nishkawa and Koroki, when the players started to struggle that they should talk to each other and support each other on the pitch. We will help you and support you, but there are things we can’t do on the pitch.

“We started to see it after we conceded the first goal and I’m really glad they managed to help themselves on the pitch and I’m happy with what we have achieved today.”

Otsuki was also quick to praise the Urawa fans, who turned out in significant numbers again to spur their team onto a result that will ensure the club play in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League for a fourth time.

“We came back from China PR after the draw and we finished things off today,” he said. “The away goals helped us a lot.

“Towards the end of the game the fans started to chant: “We Are Reds!” and that helped. That made the players and fans united as one, and that’s why we were able to go through to the next round. I’m delighted with the result today.”

Urawa’s progress to the AFC Champions League semi-finals stands in contrast to their disappointing showing in the J.League this season, where the club are sitting just above the relegation zone with eight games remaining in the campaign.

But after Tuesday’s performance, Otsuki is hopeful Urawa can show an improvement in what remains of the domestic season.

“Maybe today’s game will allow us to break through and develop ourselves," he said. “Shanghai had suspended players and so did we. We are struggling in the J.League but today we saw something different and the players developed themselves.

“Before the game I spoke to the players and I told them that I wanted them to give confidence and joy to everyone in this club. Everyone fought a lot and ran until the end and I really appreciate what the players did today, and the fans too.”