Adelaide announce squad for AFC Champions League quarter finals

Adelaide United coach Aurelio Vidmar has named his squad for the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League, with Alemao being the unlucky player to miss out because only three foreign players are allowed by the Asian Football Confederation.

““We made the decision to take Alemao out unfortunately. It was a tough decision but we just thought that with Cassio and Diego, they’ve already been there and know what to expect, and Cristiano has got a fair bit of experience,” Vidmar said.

“We have also got cover if we have to on that side but it wasn’t an easy decision because I would have liked to have all of them in there.”

“All four of them want to play but unfortunately I can’t have all of them in there so that was the decision we made. You have to play within the rules and that’s the way we decided to go.”

Alemao’s only chance of playing in the AFC Champions League is if one of the other foreigners gets injured more than three days before the game.

Vidmar also announced that Adelaide United’s first four Youth League signings have been added to the AFC Champions League squad.

The first leg of Adelaide United’s Quarter Final against the Kashima Antlers is on Wednesday, September 17 in Japan before the return leg on Wednesday, September 24 at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Adelaide United FC AFC Champions League Knockout Stage Squad: Paul Agostino, Joel Allwright*, Fabian Barbiero, Mark Birighitti, Cassio, Robert Cornthwaite, Angelo Costanzo, Cristiano, Diego, Travis Dodd, Eugene Galekovic, Scott Jamieson, Michael Marrone*, Daniel Mullen, Matthew Mullen*, Sasa Ognenovski, Lucas Pantelis, Paul Reid, Jonas Salley, Kristian Sarkies, Jason Spagnuolo, Alex Sunasky*, Michael Valkanis, Robert Younis.

* denotes AUFC Youth League Player

Published on August 27, 2008