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Shandong Luneng eliminated from AFC Champions League

Xinhua, September 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

Shandong Luneng FC tied 1-1 with visiting FC Seoul here Wednesday in their second-leg AFC Champions League quarterfinal, and were eliminated from the continental tournament with an aggregate score of 4-2.

Resolute in reversing the 3-1 deficit they suffered three weeks ago in the South Korean capital, Luneng dominated the game throughout the first half as Italian international Graziano Pelle's on-target header was saved by Seoul goalkeeper Yu Sanghun in the fifth minute, and Zhang Chi's low shot from a corner from right hit the side of the net.

Luneng's Argentine midfielder Walter Montillo, who scored a free-kick in the first leg in Seoul to give the Chinese side a gleam of hope before the home game, nearly repeated the scenario, but his 41-minute set-piece curled narrowly wide of the goal.

Leading by two goals on aggregate, FC Seoul remained solid on the defensive and smartly played counterattacks, almost increasing their advantage shortly before the interim as Park Chu-yong's one-on-one opportunity was denied by Luneng goalkeeper Wang Dalei.

Not reconciled to a goalless first-half, Luneng continued their attack into the second-half and Pelle's 49-minute header from defender Zhao Mingjian's assist went wide again.

The hosts made breakthrough in the 59th minute as Montillo burst out of Seoul's seemingly negligent defense line to head in midfielder Hao Junmin's cross to cheer up the fans.

With endless chanting in the background, Hao Junmin made a superb turn on Zhao Mingjian's pass, but his powerful shot went inches above the crossbar.

Against the run of the match, however, Seoul's center forward Dejan Damijanovic comfortably set substitute Yun Ju-tae up for a decisive equalizer with 8 minutes remaining, which instigated celebration on Seoul's bench.

An aggregate 4-2 victory made FC Seoul proceed into the semifinals for the first time since 2014. They will face domestic rivals Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, who thrashed China's Shanghai SIPG 5-0 Tuesday at home.

Luneng head coach Felix Magath said at the post-match press conference that it was regretful that the team was knocked out though they played more aggressively than their opponents.

On the domestic front, Luneng are still struggling to avoid falling into the relegation zone of the Chinese Super League, almost impossible to appear in next season's AFC Champions League. Endit