Getty Images: Feng LiThe win comes after Adelaide opened their campaign with a 1-0 win against Pohang Steelers a fortnight ago.
The Reds and Shandong both squalled many chances in the opening half, with Sergio Van Dijk heading home a ball in the 27th minute, thanks to Robert Cornthwaite and Lucas Pantelis combining brilliantly to set up the goal.
Adelaide had to brave a 7 degree kickoff temperature and 25,000 vocal Shandong fans to hit the front.
Throughout the game, there were many fierce challenges from Adelaide with the referee pulling out a number of yellow cards, especially on tackles from United onto the 'fragile' Shandong side.
Adelaide had twenty-five fouls compared to Luneng's seven.
Shandong also had it's own opportunities to score, especially through Dutch-Ghanaian substitute Fred Benson.
United's second goal came through that of Matthew Leckie, who scored for the 3rd time in as many games, in all competitions, to seal the points for Adelaide. The goal rebounded off the cross-bar and only just made it over the line.
The win now puts Adelaide in a terrific position to advance to the last-sixteen of a tournament they weren't expected to go far in.
United's next game is in Adelaide at Hindmarsh Stadium on Wednesday, March 24 against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in front of an expected sellout crowd.
Tickets through Ticketek or at adelaideunited.com.au
Crowd: 25,000 (approx)
Goals: Van Dijk 27', Leckie 70'
Bookings: Cornthwaite 44', C Peng 51' (Shandong), Pantelis 65', Hughes 88'
Starting Lineup Adelaide: 1. Eugene Galekovic, 2. Robbie Cornthwaitwe, 4. Iain Fyfe, 5. Daniel Mullen, 7. Lucas Pantelis, 9. Sergio Van Dijk, 13. Travis Dodd (c), 14. Scott Jamieson, 17. Michael Marrone, 19. Matthew Leckie, 24. Marcos Flores
Used Substitutes Adelaide: 6. Cassio 78', 10. Hughes 82', 27. Griffiths 90+1'
Jack Molloy.
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