Crunch time for Adelaide in Asian Champions League

Adelaide United host J-League Champions Kashima Antlers in the second leg of their AFC Champions League Quarter Final at Hindmarsh Stadium.

The 1-1 first leg result last Wednesday means United need a win or a scoreless draw to progress to the Semi Final stage.

While a clean sheet would be enough to progress, Adelaide Coach Aurelio Vidmar says his team will not sit back.

“You can’t play for a nil all draw because I think when you set yourself up like that and go a goal behind, it’s very difficult to break that mindset and go and get forward,” Vidmar said.

“We just have to play aggressively like we did last week. If we can do that I’m very confident we can get a result.”

The Reds will be without the services of Vice-Captain Lucas Pantelis and Fabian Barbiero both not recovered from a groin injuries they suffered during the 1st leg.

Kashima Antlers Coach Oswaldo Oliveira says his team can soak up the pressure and get the result they need to progress.

The Antlers’ task has been made harder with hard-working midfielder and Captain Mitsuo Ogasawara missing through injury.

“He is a big loss for us because he is one of our best players and he is also our playmaker,’” Antlers coach Oswaldo Oliviera said today.

Adelaide United (Australia) vs Kashima Antlers (Japan)
Wednesday, September 24 2008, Kick-Off 7.30pm (ACST)
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Referee: Saad Kameel Al Fadhli (Kuwait)

Adelaide United FC Squad: 4. Angelo COSTANZO, 5. Michael VALKANIS, 6. CASSIO, 8. Kristian SARKIES, 9. Paul AGOSTINO, 10. CRISTIANO, 13. Travis DODD, 14. Scott JAMIESON, 16. Daniel MULLEN, 18. Robert CORNTHWAITE, 19. Sasa OGNENOVSKI, 20. Mark BIRIGHITTI (GK), 21. Jason SPAGNUOLO, 22. DIEGO, 24. Paul REID, 25. Robert YOUNIS, 30. Eugene GALEKOVIC (GK)

Published on September 23, 2008