Adelaide United draw with Kashima Antlers

The most basic of blunders undid Adelaide in their 1-1 draw against Japan’s Kashima Antlers in last night’s Asian Champions League quarter-final opening leg.

United defender Robert Cornthwaite fed his captain Travis Dodd for Adelaide’s goal, but then gifted the Japanese champions an own goal.

Cornthwaite’s clumsy clearance effort on the stroke of halftime marred an otherwise disciplined and determined display from United at the Kashima City Stadium in Japan.

Adelaide would be well satisfied with snaring a point from the game ahead of the return fixture in the South Australian capital next Wednesday.

But United had their chances to notch an upset win on foreign soil, with Cornthwaite left ruing his elementary error.

Adelaide carried a negating mindset into the away clash, content to rely on counter attacks to threaten Kashima and offering scant attacking presence for most of the first half.

But that trend was spectacularly bucked in the 38th minute when Dodd stunned the hosts with a superb headed goal.

The skipper lurked in the box as Cornthwaite centred a left footed cross, which ricocheted from an Antler defender’s head into the path of Dodd, whose forceful header from close range found the net.

But the visitors’ rejoicing was short-lived, with Cornthwaite letting in an own goal some nine minutes later.

Cornthwaite was metres from United’s goal in the 47th minute when his normal nimble feet deserted him during what should have been a routine clearance.

The central defender was alone in the box when he prodded a tentative left leg at the slow moving ball, which edged off his foot and sliced into the net as Adelaide goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic watched on helplessly.

The mistake gave Kashima the momentum entering a second half dominated in possession and shots by the Japanese outfit.

Galekovic was called on to make a series of saves as the home side pressed for victory, but United did have a gilt-edged chance to steal a win in the 62nd minute via Paul Reid.

The midfielder found himself entering the 18-yard box with only the approaching Antlers ‘keeper to beat, but a hesitant attempt was easily parried away.

Meaningful scoring chances for United then became scarce as the Antlers peppered shots on goal, but Adelaide managed to hang on for a draw.

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