AFC Champions League Final beckons for Adelaide United

AFC Champions League Semi Finals – 1st Leg

Adelaide United FC vs Bunyodkor/Kuruvchi
Wednesday, October 8 2008. Kick off 7.30 ACDT
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Referee: Sun Baojie (China)

The first semi final sees Adelaide United host Bunyodkor/Kuruvchi of Uzbekistan, a team that includes former World and European player of the Year, Rivaldo and is coached by Brazilian and world football legend Zico.

Despite being hailed by many experts as favourites in the last four, after a 7-3 aggregate victory over Iran’s Saipa, Bunyodkor coach Zico insists there is no pressure on his team.

“We are one of the surprises of the AFC Champions League this season so I don’t think that there is any pressure on us to win it,” the Brazilian said.

“We have a good team and of course we will try our best to win the semi-final and reach the final.

“But even if we don’t make it, it will not be regarded as a failure.”

Adelaide United has got past the Korean, Chinese and Japanese champions to reach this stage and has conceeded just three goals in its six group and two quarter final matches.

Coach Aurelio Vidmar says his team cannot wait for the next challenge.

“It would be nice to keep a clean sheet but I think we’re good enough to score goals and I think through this whole campaign we’ve been very good defensively so I expect that to continue,” the Adelaide coach said.

Vidmar is wary of the threat former Barcelona player Rivaldo will pose, but says he will not be paid any extra attention.

“We know how much of a great player he (Rivaldo) is but I think if you start focusing too much on one player, it takes pressure off other players so there certainly won’t be anyone going out there to man mark him,” Vidmar said.

“Whoever is in the vicinity when he’s got the ball, obviously there’s going to be some pressure on the ball and the man, so that’s the approach we’re going to take.”

The Reds will be missing central defender Sasa Ognenovski, who must serve a one match suspension after accumulating two yellow cards during the Quarter Final stage.

It is expected Ognenovski’s replacement will be either veteran Michael Valkanis or youngster Daniel Mullen.

Hindmarsh Stadium will house a capacity crowd for tonights first leg. The second leg will be played in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Wednesday, October 22.

Adelaide United FC Squad: 4. Angelo COSTANZO, 5. Michael VALKANIS, 6. CASSIO, 7. Lucas PANTELIS, 9. Paul AGOSTINO, 10. CRISTIANO, 13. Travis DODD, 14. Scott JAMIESON, 16. Daniel MULLEN, 18. Robert CORNTHWAITE, 20. Mark BIRIGHITTI (GK), 21. Jason SPAGNUOLO, 22. DIEGO, 24. Paul REID, 25. Robert YOUNIS, 26. Fabian BARBIERO, 30. Eugene GALEKOVIC (GK).

Written by
Real Football