Dalian Wanda held the newly- crowned league champions Shandong Luneng to a 1-1 tie at home court on Thursday in the first leg of the Chinese Football Association Cup final.

It was also a draw between two Yugoslavians: Slobodan Santrac, who has just earned the Coach of the Year award for guiding Luneng historically to the league title, and Kosanovic Milorad, who signed a three-year contract with Wanda on Wednesday.

Milorad, who failed to salvage the Wuhan Heart K from being relegated in the just-concluded season, was upbeat on revitalizing the reeling Wanda, the former four-time league champions who luckily escaped from being demoted this season.

"It is a big difference between Wanda and Heart K. Wanda has many talented players and I am confident to make Wanda permanent front-runners," said the Yugoslavian after the match.

Wanda underlined the new coach's words as they showed character and commitment on the court to fight from behind to force the tie.

Luneng came out aggressively from the outset and converted their dominance on 42 minutes when forward Su Maozhen deflected home a rebound after his two efforts were both blunted by the goalie.

Under the inspiration of local crowds, the home side fought a spirited battle and pulled one back through substitue Wang Tao in the 74th minute. (Xinhua)