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Michael Church

Shandong Luneng have missed out on becoming a record third Chinese Super League side to reach the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League.
The Cuca-coached side slumped to a 4-1 defeat on Wednesday night in group E against former champions Jeonbuk Motors.
Shandong needed to win to join Guangzhou Evergrande and Beijing Guoan in the next phase, but slipped behind to a goal from Lee Jae-sung in the 25th minute. Wang Tong equalised for Shandong on half-time, but they crashed with a poor second-half performance.
Kim Hyung-il put Jeonbuk back in front six minutes after the restart before a penalty from Eninho and a breakaway goal from Edu in the final 10 minutes condemned Shandong to third place in their group.
Jeonbuk will meet Beijing Guoan in the knockout phase, with the first leg in the capital on May 19.
Guangzhou Evergrande will play former champions Seongnam FC away the following day.
Guangzhou R&F, already out of contention, were thrashed 5-0 on Wednesday by Thailand’s Buriram United.
Victory was not enough to ensure Buriram advanced to the last 16, however, as they missed out on head-to-head records to group F winners Gamba Osaka and second-placed Seongnam.
Gamba beat Seongnam 2-1 on Wednesday in Osaka to take bragging rights in the group.


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AFC Champions League 2015

Shandong Luneng fail to make knockout stage of AFC Champions League

Jeonbuk's Eninho celebrates after slotting home a penalty in their 4-1 win over Shandong Luneng in group E of the AFC Champions League. Photo: WSG

Takashi Usami drives through Seongnam players during their AFC Champions League group F match in Osaka. Usami grabbed a goal in Osaka’s 2-1 win. Both teams have reached the round of 16. Photo: AFP

Sport

China

But two other Chinese Super League sides, Guangzhou Evergrande and Beijing Guoan, have qualified for the next phase 


Shandong Luneng have missed out on becoming a record third Chinese Super League soccer side to reach the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League.
