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Asian Champions League: Shandong v Al Ittihad [Thu Sep 15th, 2005]
In another intriguing quarter-final, last season's runners-up in the Chinese Super League take on reigning Asian champions Al-Ittihad.
Shandong Luneng (China) - Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia)
Shandong will have their work cut out against the big-spending defending champions, but can take heart from the fact that they have already dispatched of Japanese title-winners Yokohama F-Marinos in the first stage.
Midfielder Zheng zhi shone in the group matches and finished joint top scorer with five goals, and will need to be on top form tonight.
The Chinese team, who finished runners-up in the domestic league last season, have struggled to recapture that form in 2005.
Al-Ittihad meanwhile have been spending big in order to defend their title and get a crack at the World Club Championship in December.
Mohammed Kallon has joined on a season long loan from Monaco and could be partnered in attack by Joseph Desire Job, a transfer deadline-day loan deal from Middlesborough.
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