Coyne missed the game through injury as Shandong, the club he ironically almost signed with in January, moved into top spot in China with a solid win.

Both of Shandong's goals came in the second-half, courtesy of Roda Antar and Li Jinyu who each scored with their head.

Newly-promoted Liaoning, who had gone undefeated in their opening four games conceding just four goals, now sit fifth.

In China's League One, Brendon Santalab was a 60th minute substitute as promotion-chasing Chengdu Blades lost 1-0 at Pudong Zhongbang.

Chengdu remain top, with nine points from four games.