Hao’s curling set-piece 19 minutes into the second half cancelled out Kim Seung-jun’s opener from just before the interval and it sparked an improved performance from the Chinese Super League side, with the win ensuring Li’s team advance to the last 16 of the Continental championship.

“The game turned on Hao Junmin’s free-kick,” said Li, who steered Shandong into the knockout rounds of the competition for only the second time since 2005. “If Hao Junmin hadn’t scored the game would have gone in another direction.”

The former Manchester United midfielder headed home from close range three minutes from time to complete an impressive second half performance by Li Xiaopeng’s side, who trailed at the break thanks to Kim Seung-jun’s opener.

But a stunning Hao Junmin free-kick in the 64th minute pulled Shandong level before Fellaini claimed the goal that moves his team on to 11 points and a guaranteed top two finish in the standings.

Syafiq’s 69th minute stunner earned JDT their first-ever win in the group phase of the competition and it means the reigning champions will have to wait until the final round of group games in two weeks’ time to find out if they will advance to the last 16.

A draw against already qualified Shandong Luneng on May 22 could be enough to take Go Oiwa’s side into the knockout rounds, but the loss against JDT was the second in a row for the Japanese club and the second time they have missed the chance to secure their place in the next phase.

Syafiq Ahmad’s solitary goal 69 minutes into the game sealed a remarkable 1-0 victory for the Malaysian Super League champions, who became the first team from the country to win a game in the group phase of the AFC Champions League.

That it came against the reigning Continental kings – and without suspended striker Diogo – made it all the more significant and Mora was delighted with a performance that keeps the club’s slim hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds alive.

One of the games of the tournament so far witnessed some excellent attacking play as honours ended even and the fate of the sides remained in the balance.

Ali Asad and Akram Afif scored inside the opening 15 minutes and Omar Al Somah pulled one back for Al Ahli in the second half in Doha as the hosts sealed the three points to book their place in the knock-out stage with a game to spare.

With qualification confirmed, the 2011 AFC Champions League winners can now take a breather following a busy season in which they lifted the Qatar Stars League title for the first time in six years and reached the Emir Cup semi-final just four days ahead of their win over Al Ahli.

The hosts went into the game in second place in the Group G standings, two points behind their opponents and three ahead of Urawa Red Diamonds with two games to play.

But Korea Republic international Kim Shin-wook’s first-half goal proved decisive as the 1-0 victory for the two-time champions sealed top spot, while Urawa’s 2-1 win over Buriram United saw the Japanese team move above Beijing on goal difference.