JEDDAH – As Shandong Luneng prepare for the second leg of their AFC Champions League quarter-final against defending champions Al Ittihad, the key word in their camp appears to be 'patience'.

　　Shandong face an uphill task in Jeddah after being held to a 1-1 draw at home in la st week's first leg in Jinan. But while the China FA Cup holders know that they must score in the return match in order to avoid elimination, the team do not want to try to force the game and leave themselves exposed to the Saudi side's deadly counter-attack.

　　"We are attacking-minded team and attacking is what we are good at," said midfielder Li Xiaopeng. "However, against a defensively strong side you must keep your cool and play with patience and composure."

　　While Ittihad have invested heavily in a strikeforce that consists of Sierra Leone international Mohamed Kallon, Cameroon international Joseph Desire Job and Brazilian Tcheco, it is their tight defence, which includes Saudi internationals Ahmed Dokhi, Redha Tukar and Osama Al Harbi, that is of greatest concern to the Shandong side.

　　"Their rearguard looks better than their offence," commented defender Yuan Weiwei, who stood in for the injured Wang Chao in the first leg.

　　The Chinese side will be mindful of Ittihad's victory against another China Super League side, Dalian Shide, in last year's quarter-finals. The Saudis held Dalian to a 1-1 draw in China before winning the return match 1-0 en route to claiming the title.

　　Dalian skipper Ji Mingyi, who played in both of those matches, said that Shandong must display strong teamwork and patience in Jeddah if they hope to advance to the last four.

　　"Last year, a lapse of concentration cost us a spot in the semi-finals," said Ji. "I still thought we had a good chance against Al Ittihad. They are not the strongest team but they are very experienced and skilled opponents. Shandong will require plenty of patience in order to break them down."

　　Shandong coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic remains confident though that his team will be able to find their way into the semi-finals

　　"We have been unbeaten in the competition with six wins and one draw to date. That shows we are as strong a team as our rivals," said the Serbo-Montenegrin

　　"We don't fear any of our rivals but our opponents should be aware that we are not a team to be underestimated. We have prepared a long time and worked hard for this game and we have not come here just to make up the numbers," he added.

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