Jinan: Diego Tardelli’s second-half strike ensured China’s Shandong Luneng and Australia’s Sydney FC will start next week’s AFC Champions League Round of 16 second leg all square after the sides played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg on Wednesday.
Hosts Shandong should have broken the deadlock on seven minutes at Jinan Olympic Sports Centre when Argentine playmaker Walter Montillo missed from the penalty spot before David Carney headed the visitors in front on the 15-minute mark.
Brazilian Tardelli’s fourth goal of the competition then drew the hosts level shortly before the hour when he finished from close in to leave the tie perfectly poised ahead of the second leg in Sydney next week.
“Today it was a very entertaining match and we both played good football,” said Shandong coach Mano Menezes. “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.
“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.”
Shandong had the first opening of the game inside two minutes when Liu Binbin surged down the right before pulling back from the byline to Wu Xinghan only for a sliding challenge from Rhyan Grant to deflect the ball wide.
The Chinese Super League side then had a golden chance five minutes later after they were awarded a penalty when Wu was upended by goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic, but the Croatia-born custodian made amends by denying Montillo from the ensuing spot-kick as he saved low to his left.
And Shandong were made to pay for their missed opportunity as the visitors took the lead on 15 minutes when Carney headed in at the back post after an inviting left-wing cross from Riley Woodcock.
Mano Menezes’ team then missed another gilt-edged opportunity when Brazil international Tardelli blazed over from near the penalty spot after a pull-back from Liu.
Sydney could have stretched their advantage 10 minutes before the interval when Carney’s effort from just outside the penalty area floated narrowly wide of Wang Dalei’s left post.
The visitors again came close shortly after the restart when Brandon O’Neill’s header from Carney’s inswinging corner from the right was cleared off the line by Zheng Zheng.
But Shandong responded strongly and captain Li Wei sent a thunderous effort from distance crashing against the underside of the crossbar on 54 minutes.
And two minutes later the home side did level the score when Tardelli finished from a few yards out after Jucilei had headed Montillo’s corner from the right into his path.
Shandong had the better of the closing half hour but struggled to clear-cut opportunities with Dai Lin’s swerving, dipping effort from 35 yards in the final minute comfortably blocked by Janjetovic as the tie ended in stalemate and with all to play for in a week’s time.
“I am satisfied with this result overall,” said Sydney coach Graham Arnold. “We made some mistakes and conceded a goal through a set-piece, however we were generally good throughout the game.
“I don't think the next round is 50-50 now, it should be 60-40 in our favour. We have an away goal, and they will have to play away.
“It will be a long and difficult journey for them and we have lots of fans at home. It is going to be a very good match.”
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