After beating Johor in Jinan two weeks ago, Shandong lost to Dalian Yifang and Guangzhou Evergrande to slip to seventh in the Chinese Super League but they remained unbeaten on the Continent ahead of the trip to southern Malaysia.

Graziano Pelle struck from close range midway through the first half to record his sixth goal in four games as Shandong climbed above defending champions Kashima Antlers to top the standings with two games to play.

Played at a typically raucous Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium, the home side came into the match confident of a result after their impressive finish in their previous encounter in China PR two weeks ago.

And it was the Malaysians who made a bright start, with Azrif Nasrulhaq firing the first effort, but his shot was wide of the mark, as was Diogo’s effort when he tried from the edge of the area five minutes later.

Gyeongnam applied some early pressure and Negueba took advantage of a defensive slip to surge clear before being dispossessed by the Kashima defenders. Choi Jae-soo’s cross from the left then found Kim Hyo-gi but he couldn’t direct his volley on target.

Kim Hyo-gi headed wide from Negueba’s cross as the visitors continued to push for the opening goal.

The home side, who were crowned AFC Champions League winners in 2006 and 2016, were dominant for the first hour of the game following goals from Ricardo Lopes and Kim Shin-wook but had to survive a nervy ending after a Shinzo Koroko strike brought Urawa, themselves Continental champions in 2007 and 2017, back into the match.

Shinzo Koroki had the first effort on goal when his low shot went just wide after Ewerton’s dummy had created space.

But it was the home side who took the lead in the 12th minute. Ricardo Lopes stole possession, drove forward and struck a firm, low shot into the far corner from 20 yards.

Played in torrential rain in the Chinese capital, the home side took time to settle into the game and it was the visitors who enjoyed the best early chance but Pedro Junior couldn’t beat Zou Dehai in goal.

It took until 30 minutes into the game for the home side to start to take control and Cedric Bakambu almost gave Beijing a fortuitous lead when Yu Dabao’s header ricocheted off his foot, just evading the far post.

Travelling more than 7,500 kilometres to make your tournament debut is a clear illustration of the sheer scope and scale of Asian football's most prestigious club competition.

But it was a journey that 21-year-old Yan Dinghao was happy to embark upon, even if the south China side was not able to secure all three points in Australia.