Yang Xu scored one and set up another two as Liaoning Zhongyu booked a place in next year's Asian Champions League with a comfortable 3-1 win over Tianjin Teda.

The result means the north-eastern side finished third in the table and will join champions Guangzhou Evergrande and runners-up Beijing Guoan in the continental competition next year.

Yu drew first blood for the visitors after 26 minutes, heading Yang's cross into the net before Ding Jie volleyed home Yang's clipped pass five minutes after the break.

Yang sealed victory for Liaoning three minutes before the hour mark although Hu Rentian pulled a goal back for Tianjin 10 minutes later, slotting home a rebound.

"The victory is just a starting point for my team," said Liaoning manager Ma Lin.

"We secured a place in the AFC Champions League after the match and it is really exciting.

"I hope we can receive more financial support from the boss and the local sport authorities so that we can compete in the continental tournament with a stronger squad."

Shandong Luneng and Tianjin will battle for the final place in the 2012 Asian Champions League when they meet in the FA Cup final in Hefei on November 19.

At the other end of the table, Chengdu Blades were relegated as they could only manage a 2-2 draw with Guangzhou.

Wang Kai had given Chengdu the lead after 11 minutes but Guangzhou hit back in the second half through Gao Zhilin and Zhang Linpeng.

Peng Xinli's late penalty levelled the score but it was not enough for Chengdu as even though Jiangsu Shuntian edged out Nanchang Bayi 1-0, Chengdu fell two points short.

Substitute Jiang Kun scored a last-minute winner as Shanghai Shenhua edged out Beijing 1-0 at Hongkou Stadium.

Jiang struck for the hosts in stoppage time, volleying home Yu Tao's inviting cross to snatch the points.

Elsewhere, Shaanxi Chanba shared the spoils with Qingdao Zhongneng 2-2, Changchun Yatai beat Shenzhen Kingway 2-1, Shandong defeated Henan Jianye 1-0 while Hangzhou Greentown and Dalian Shide played out a goalless draw.