Shandong Luneng will return to the AFC Champions League in 2021 after Hao Wei's side handed Chinese Super League champions Jiangsu Suning a 2-0 defeat in the final of the Chinese FA Cup on Saturday, denying Cosmin Olaroiu's team a league and cup double.

Shandong, who had finished fifth in the Chinese Super League, had goals from Wang Tong and Graziano Pelle to thank for their first Chinese FA Cup win since 2014, with victory securing the club a return to the AFC Champions League after missing out on the competition in 2020.

Jiangsu went into the final looking to secure the double after defeating Guangzhou Evergrande in the Chinese Super League playoff final last month, although Olaroiu's side were missing influential foreign stars such as Alex Teixeira and Eder Martins.

Following a goalless first half, Wang put Shandong ahead four minutes after the restart and former Italy international Pelle doubled his side's lead 12 minutes from time to give Shandong their sixth Chinese FA Cup win.

Shandong's victory means they join Jiangsu in qualifying for next year's AFC Champions League. Chinese Super League runners-up Guangzhou Evergrande and third-place finishers Beijing FC will also represent the country in next year's continental club championship.

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