Akira Nishino's side lifted the title with an emphatic 5-0 aggregate victory over Adelaide United in last year's final and the J.League side continued their winning ways with victory over the Chinese Super League champions.

Brazilian midfielder Leandro ensured the home side had the perfect start 20 minutes into the Group F game when he gave Shandong goalkeeper Li Leilei little chance with a fine left-footed strike.

The goal was no less than Gamba deserved after dominating the opening exchanges, with China international goalkeeper Li forced into a string of saves before Leandro gave his side the lead.

Lucas - who scored in both the home and away legs of last season's final - forced Li into action in the 12th minute with a shot from outside the area, which the goalkeeper pushed into Masato Yamazaki's path, only for Li to pull off a second save.

Shandong threw caution to the wind at the start of the second half with the introduction of Han Peng for former Nancy forward Li Jinyu, despite the striker not being fully fit.

The move failed to ignite Shandong's attack, however, and in the 71st minute Gamba's lead was extended when Yasuhito Endo scored from the penalty spot after Alejandro Cichero handled Lucas' shot.

Eight minutes later, Gamba sealed the win through substitute Hayato Sasaki, who found the top corner after collecting Cichero's attempt to clear Endo's cross.