Oscar shows worth on Shanghai debut

Feb 09, 2017 06:00 am

Megabucks import Oscar wasted no time in repaying some of his hefty price tag when he scored on his competitive debut for Shanghai SIPG, helping them seal a spot in the AFC Champions League group stage.

The Brazil midfielder, who quit Chelsea in a 60 million euro (S$90.6m) deal, rolled in SIPG's opener in Tuesday's 3-0 play-off win over Thailand's Sukhothai FC.

Fellow Brazilian Elkeson also got on the scoresheet before the Thai side conceded an own goal, as SIPG took their place in Group F alongside FC Seoul, Urawa Red Diamonds and Western Sydney Wanderers.

EYES ON THE PRIZE

It means that SIPG, coached by ex-Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur boss Andre Villas-Boas, get a shot at Asia's club crown, won twice by Chinese rivals Guangzhou Evergrande in recent seasons.

Oscar's deal with SIPG is said to be 24m euros a season - which would put him above Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi of Barcelona in a list of the world's best-paid players.

It is still below the 38m euros reportedly paid by city rivals Shanghai Shenhua to Argentine striker Carlos Tevez, which makes him the highest-paid footballer on the planet. - AFP