Shandong Taishan lost to Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos 2-1 in their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League's first-leg quarterfinal in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, on Wednesday.

Yokohama and Shandong played twice in the group stage, with the Japanese side winning both games.

Yokohama's Anderson Lopes scored in the seventh minute. The Brazilian made space for himself before rifling a shot into the back of the net.

Shandong came out with all guns blazing in the second half. But Yokohama scored the second goal in the 69th minute. 

Yan Matheus, also from Brazil, hit a shot from outside the zone, and the ball rolled past Shandong goalkeeper Wang Dalei into the net.

Chen Pu grabbed a crucial goal for Shandong in the injury time, keeping Shandong's hopes alive heading into next week's second leg in Yokohama.

Shandong Taishan's results in the AFC Champions League as of March 6, 2024

Group stage:

Kaya FC 1-3 Shandong Taishan (September 19, 2023)

Shandong Taishan 0-1 Yokohama F. Marinos (October 3, 2023)

Incheon 0-2 Shandong Taishan (October 25, 2023)

Shandong Taishan 3-1 Incheon (November 7, 2023)

Shandong Taishan 6-1 Kaya FC (November 28, 2023)

Yokohama F. Marinos 3-0 Shandong Taishan (December 13, 2023)

Round of 16

Shandong Taishan 2-3 Kawasaki (February 13, 2024)

Kawasaki 2-4 Shandong Taishan (February 20, 2024)

Quarterfinal

Shandong Taishan 1-2 Yokohama F. Marinos (March 6, 2024)

(With input from Xinhua)