JINAN, Feb. 19 -- Former Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini is expected to help his new team Luneng go further in both Chinese Super League (CSL) and AFC Champions League.
Li Xiaopeng, head coach of CSL side Shandong Luneng, said that Fellaini will play an important role in new season, after Luneng defeated Hanoi FC of Vietnam 4-1 in the play-off stage match at Jinan Olympic Sports Centre on Tuesday.
"When Fellaini does more training with the whole team, I am sure there will be chemistry between him and the whole team," Li added.
However, the victory was not easy for Luneng. Luneng conceded a goal in first half, and substitute Liu Junshuai netted the equalizer to open the scoring for Luneng at 65th minute.
Eight minutes later, Former Southampton striker Pelle found the lead of 2-1 with a header, and two other substitutes Liu Binbin and Zhou Haibin later added two more goals.
Luneng will make their ninth appearance in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Group Stage after the win.
"I might be laid off if I give an objective lower than the previous ACL experience," Li joked about the team's goal in Asian competition, adding that his side would make full preparations for the best in coming games.
Shandong will compete in Group E with defending champions Kashima Antlers of Japan, Gyeongnam FC of South Korea and Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim.