Shandong dropped their first points in their AFC Champions League campaign, but an entertaining draw with Adelaide still sees the Chinese side in pole position to qualify from Group G.

The Australians were twice pegged back by the hosts, who just need to avoid defeat by two goals when they travel to second-placed Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in the final round of games on May 25 to make the last eight.

The Korean side beat Dong Tam Long An 2-1 in Vietnam to keep alive their hopes of advancement.

Shandong entered the game as favourites on the back of four successive wins but it was Adelaide who nearly struck the first blow in the opening three minutes.

Travis Dodd produced a surging run down the right before picking out Fernando but the Brazilian striker's volley was well saved low down to his right by China international keeper Li Leilei.

Shandong had a great chance of their own after 10 minutes when, after a slick one-two, Jiao Zhe broke free in the area but keeper Daniel Beltrame stood up well to beat away the defender's effort.

In a frenetic start, Adelaide went close again three minutes later as a swift counter-attack set Bruce Djite free, the powerful striker shrugging off Nikola Malbasa's challenge only to see his shot crash back off the bar.

However, the 20-year-old was instrumental as the visitors opened the scoring on 36 minutes.

The Shandong defence were again caught out by Djite's pace as he latched onto a through ball and although the opportunity seemed to be lost after a heavy touch, the lanky striker stretched out a leg to poke the ball past the onrushing Li, who brought him down inside the box and picked up a yellow card in the process.

Fernando gave the keeper no chance as he drilled home the spot-kick.

However, their lead lasted all of three minutes. A ball out of defence was collected on the left flank by Li Wei and the midfielder cut inside United skipper Angelo Costanzo before beating Beltrame at his near post with a low right-foot drive.

Three minutes into the second half, Adelaide regained their advantage. Again the home defence were caught square as substitute Lucas Pantelis' beautifully weighted pass put Nathan Burns clear and the midfielder finished impressively with a low drive from 20 yards that found the far corner.

However, similar to the first half, Vidmar's men could not hold onto their lead as Zivkovic's inswinging free-kick from the left flank eight minutes later eluded everybody and Shandong skipper Shu Chang looked as surprised as anybody when the ball arrived at the back post for the unmarked defender to tap in the equaliser.

Adelaide could have edged ahead for a third time with 13 minutes left when Pantelis picked up a deep cross on the left hand side but his fierce cross-shot was just out of reach of the stretching Matthew Kemp.

Shandong then wasted a chance to claim a late winner. Some neat build up play down the left saw substitute Wang Xiaolong reach the by-line and fire in a dangerous low cross that Li Jinyu could not turn past Beltran as United survived a late onslaught to claim a point.