Even so, the strength of Yokohama Mariners should not be underestimated. Facing Shandong Luneng, this match is undoubtedly an exciting battle full of variables, and Choi Kang-hee must stay alert and give his best. There is no doubt that Choi will go all out and field the strongest starting lineup in order to prove his worth and lead Shandong Luneng farther.
In the goalkeeper position, Wang Dalei is undoubtedly the first choice to guard the Luneng goal; in the defense, to ensure solidity, Cui Kangxi may give up his usual four-guard formation. Liu Yang, Jia Desong, Shi Ke and Dalian veteran Tong Lei are expected to become the first four defenders. Of the four, Jia Desong and Shi Ke will partner with the double center backs, while Liu Yang and Tong Lei will play as the wing backs respectively. Brazilian defender Jadson is sitting at the heart of the team's defense.
In the midfield, Shenhua veteran Peng Xinli will undoubtedly be responsible for intercepting and snapping up Luneng's center and backfield, and Peng Xinli's partner in the double back should be the meritorious veteran Zheng Zheng, who occasionally plays a cameo role in the back position. Between the two backs, former Evergrande midfielder Li Yuanyi will shoulder the heavy responsibility up front, planning and directing the team's offense, while the fast wing players on both sides may be new foreigner Kazayishvili and local star Xie Wenneng. Naturalized player Fernando will be on standby as a substitute wonderkid.
Striker leader, naturally, or Cressan, he was the first to open up for Shandong Luneng in front of the field, shouldering the heavy responsibility of destroying the opponent's city defense, is the team's most threatening striker. According to this speculation, Shandong Luneng and Yokohama Mariners starting lineup may be: Wang Dalei; Liu Yang, Jia Desong, Shi Ke, Tong Lei; Peng Xinli, Zheng Zheng; Li Yuanyi, Kazayishvili, Xie Wenneng; Kressan.
