Marinos had shown an improved performance in the second half having gone behind at the end of an otherwise uneventful first 45 minutes the Japanese side had dominated without often threatening the Shandong goal.

Matheus released Kenta Inoue in the 16th minute as Marinos looked to turn their early territorial dominance into goals, but the midfielder’s goal-bound effort was deflected narrowly wide of Wang Dalei’s goal.

From there, neither side was able to make much of an impression despite Marinos monopolising possession until the home side took the lead with two minutes left of the opening period.

Valeri Qazaishvili’s run into the box was initially halted by the Marinos defence but, when the ball fell to Zeca just inside the area, the Brazilian laid off possession to his compatriot Cryzan and his laser-like finish found the bottom corner of the Japanese side’s goal.

Shandong were denied a second six minutes after the restart when Eduardo headed Zeca’s goal-bound attempt off the line, the rebound falling to Qazaishvili, who could only find the side-netting with his follow-up.

Marinos almost levelled seconds later, Wang denying Asahi Uenaka after he was found by Hijiri Kato, the Chinese goalkeeper then blocking a second attempt as the Japanese side cranked up the pressure.

The equaliser finally came in the 54th minute. Matheus’ corner was flicked on by Eduardo and his fellow Brazilian Lopes had the time and space to nod the ball over the line uncontested.

Lopes’ attempt to put the visitors in front midway through the second half was deflected wide of Wang’s goal as Marinos pressed for the winner while Jun Amano and Ryuta Koike both tried their luck without success.

Shi Ke deflected another effort from Lopes to safety with less than eight minutes remaining as Marinos continued to push and the goal eventually came when Ren Kato shuttled Ryo Miyaichi’s ball into Matheus’ path and his first-time strike gave Wang no chance.

With time running out for the hosts Zheng pounced, scoring from close range after his initial header had come back off the Marinos crossbar.