Money man Oscar shows golden touch for Shanghai

SHANGHAI: Megabucks import Oscar began 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 (RM283.69 million) deal, rolled in SIPG's opener in Tuesday's 3-0 play-off victory over Thailand's Sukhothai FC.
Fellow Brazilian Elkeson also got on the scoresheet as SIPG took their place in Group F alongside FC Seoul, Urawa Red Diamonds and Western Sydney Wanderers.
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 Shanghai SIPG is thought to be 24 million 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 €38 million (RM179.67 million) reportedly paid by city rivals Shanghai Shenhua to Argentine striker Carlos Tevez, which rates him as the highest paid footballer on the planet. — AFP