Both teams came into the tie needing a win, with Shandong threatening in the third minute with Huang Zhengyu trying his luck from distance but sent the ball high.

Five minutes later Pohang gave away possession cheaply, allowing Zeca to test keeper Yun Pyeong-gook, who was equal to the task.

Pohang threatened in the 13th minute after Jeong Jae-hee teed-up Wanderson, who pulled his effort just wide off the right post from the top of the box.

The home side began to create more chances with Jeong Jae-hee just turning Oberdan’s delivery over the bar in the 22nd minute, before Jorge Teixeira failed to find the target after attempting from distance three minutes later.

Shandong’s defence was finally breached at the half-hour mark when Jeong Jae-hee guided his free-kick over the wall past keeper Wang Dalei.

However, Shandong responded three minutes later when an unmarked Chen Pu nodded home Li Yuanyi’s corner to leave the tie evenly poised heading into the break.

Pohang took their game up a notch in the second half and retook the lead in the 64th minute after Teixeira muscled his way past his marker before slipping the ball beyond Wang.

Shandong struggled to contain Pohang’s aggression and fell further behind four minutes later with Wanderson hitting a powerful shot from inside the box to send the home fans into raptures.

Pohang struck their fourth in the 76th minute after some poor defending by Shandong allowed Wanderson to gain possession and play a perfect pass to Oberdan to slot home with a cool finish with Shandong claiming a consolation in the fourth minute of stoppage time with Bi Jinhao finishing with a close range header following Zeca’s set-piece.