Shandong Luneng striker Diego Tardelli. (Photo : Getty Images)
Chinese Super League squad Shandong Luneng Taishan FC settled for a 1-1 draw with A-League club Sydney FC at their home ground of Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium on Wednesday in the first leg of their 2016 AFC Champions League knockout stage head-to-head contest.
Defensive midfielder David Carney opened the match's scoring by netting the all-important away goal right at the 15th minute for the Australians off an assist from left back Riley Woodcock.
Taishan Dui actually had the chance to get the opening goal of the game, but Argentine midfielder Walter Montillo missed on a seventh-minute penalty kick after teammate Wu Xinghan was fouled.
The hosts were able to equalize the count at the 56th minute in the second half when Brazilian striker Diego Tardelli smashed home compatriot Gil's header off a corner play with an assist by another one of the team's Brazil internationals, Jucilei, via Fox Sports.
"Today, it was a very entertaining match and we both played good football," Shandong manager Mano Menezes told reporters after the match, as per the South China Morning Post.
Menezes expressed confidence that his team will be able to improve themselves in their second leg encounter scheduled on May 25 at the Sydney Football Stadium, a must-win situation for the squad if they want to advance in the quarterfinals.
"We had more chances and we should have won, but sometimes the side who has the upper hand can't win. But after a performance like this, we are certainly more confident now. If we keep doing what we are doing now, we have a good chance to win it in Sydney," said Menezes.
"I think we were well balanced at both ends and we didn't give them too many opportunities. I hope we can improve our finishing, though, that is how can win the next game," he added.
Shandong finished the previous stage at the second spot of the Group F standings, two points behind group leaders FC Seoul of South Korea, while Sydney topped what was dubbed as "the group of death" with the Urawa Red Diamonds, Guangzhou Evergrande, and Pohang Steelers, to advance in the final stages.
Defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande did not qualify as they fell one point short of the Red Diamonds in the overall standings.
