Gamba Osaka begin the defence of their AFC Champions League title with a Group F home match against Chinese Super League (CSL) champions Shandong Luneng.
Gamba enjoyed a winning start to the new J.League season on Saturday, beating Chiba 3-0 away with goals from new signings Leandro of Brazil and Korea Republic striker Cho Jae-jin, and midfielder Tomokazu Myojin.
However, Shandong, who have won two of the last three CSL titles, have a squad full of former and current internationals including strike duo Li Jinyu and Han Peng, Serb midfielder Aleksandar Zivkovic and Venezuelan defender Alejandro Cichero.
