Goals from Yang Xu and Diego Tardelli gave Shandong Luneng a 2-1 win over Adelaide United on Tuesday night to book their place in Group F of the 2016 AFC Champions League.
A late goal from Sergio Cirio for Adelaide made for an exciting ending in front of 8,487 at Hindmarsh Stadium, but the home side could not find a second to force the match into extra time.
In an open and attacking first half, Adelaide United had the first chance of the night when defender Dylan McGowan attempted to poke home the ball from a goal-line scramble, but his shot was cleared off the line by Dai Lin.
Adelaide were left to rue their missed opportunity three minutes later when they turned the ball over in midfield, allowing Argentine international Walter Montillo to glide past two defenders and fire a shot at Eugene Galekovic, which he could only palm into the path of China forward Yang who headed home into an open net.
Bruce Djite tested Shandong goalkeeper Wang Dalei with a fierce volley midway through the first half, but the China custodian made an easy save.
Shandong doubled their lead five minutes from half time, with Montillo heavily involved again.
The skilful attacking midfielder collected the ball on the edge of the box and played a delightful ball for Wang Yongpo who got in behind Adelaide's defence. The veteran attacker clipped a perfectly weighted cross for Tardelli, whose glancing header beat Galekovic at the far post.
Adelaide dominated possession and pushed hard for an equalizer in the second half, but first Goodwin and then Sergio Cirio and Carrusca missed opportunities in front of goal.
Shandong should have added a third just past the hour mark when Montillo was played into clear space, cutting the ball back cleverly for Tardelli who inexplicably shot wide with just Galekovic to beat.
Adelaide was offered a lifeline with 20 minutes remaining when Wang Yongpo was issued his second yellow card of the evening, earning himself an early shower.
The home side was awarded a penalty with less than ten minutes remaining after referee Minoru Tojo judged Zhao Mingjian to have handled the ball in the box, but Carrusca smashed his spot kick against the bar.
Cirio's glancing header in the final minute of normal time made for a nervy ending for Shandong, with Adelaide coming close to finding an equaliser, but the four-time Chinese league champions held on the secure a 2-1 victory.
