By Paddy Higgs
November 3rd 2008 @ 4:21am
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Adelaide, Gamba dive into ACL unknown
An element of the unknown exists around the first leg of the Asian Champions League final between Gamba Osaka and Adelaide United on Wednesday. It is a common factor throughout the ACL.
Even some of the most avid football supporters in Australia would struggle to pronounce the likes of Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and Beijing Guoan, let alone name the sides’ star players.
Gamba may enjoy more of a status than the aforementioned, but it is still hardly a household name Down Under.
Like United, the Japanese club is regarded as one of the mainstays of its own domestic league. But while silverware has eluded Adelaide in the short time since the A-League’s inception in 2005, Gamba has tasted recent success.
The Japanese club won the league in 2005, the J-League Cup in 2007, and the 2008 Pan-Pacific Championships. Success in the ACL, it seems, is the final piece of the puzzle for Gamba.
But the Champions League is hardly a competition which pampers to the favourites.
J-League clubs have found it hard to live up to star billing in the continental competition. When Urawa Reds defeated Iranian club Sepahan FC 3-1 on aggregate this time last year, it was the first time a Japanese club had lifted the trophy since the ACL’s remodeling in 2002.
The Greater Tokyo-based Reds are the powerhouse of the J-League, and rode a wave of national support into the 2007 final.
But if Gamba expected the same treatment for its ACL campaign, it would have been left disappointed.
Japan Times journalist Andrew McKirdy believes Gamba will garner some support from the everyday Japanese football fan, but hardly to the level seen last season for Urawa.
“It was more of a big deal last year, because the Reds got in the final for the first time,” McKirdy explained. “Gamba has got a bit of money and a fair few fans, but not as much as teams in the Tokyo area. It seems that in that part of Japan the football is not as big as it is in Tokyo.”
Melbourne Victory shared Group G with Gamba earlier in the competition, but the make-up of the side has changed since their return leg in April this year.
Target-man Baré played a big part in the J-League club’s first-placed finish in the group, but he departed in July to UAE club Al-Ahli.
The price for the Brazilian striker – reportedly six million Euro (currently more than AUS$11 million) – is the sort of transfer fee any A-League club would struggle to comprehend.
The Japanese have seen just as little of United.
McKirdy said while he had followed Adelaide’s progress into the latter rounds of the ACL, it was only the two legs of the Reds’ 2-1 aggregate quarter-final victory against J-League club Kashima Antlers that were televised in Japan.
“I saw Adelaide against Kashima in Kashima. They were pretty defensive, and that can help Gamba, who pass the ball well,” McKirdy said.
“If they can pick their way through the defense, they will have a chance.”
Adelaide’s lack of exposure in Japan is a fact not lost on Gamba manager Akira Nishino. It was reported in Japan’s Sankei Sports that Nishino brought his squad together on Friday to study Adelaide’s playing style from game recordings.
Nishino said, after identifying United’s strengths and weaknesses, that the A-League club would have trouble stifling his team’s swift interplay.
Adelaide counterpart Aurelio Vidmar would have no doubt done his own homework, and will be aware that the team has been built around Japanese midfield anchor Yasuhito Endo for some seasons now.
Brazilian strikers Roni and Lucas Severino – once a twenty-one million Euro buy for French club Rennes – have attempted to shoulder the scoring load since Baré left.
But just knowing about the opposition’s star players won’t win you an ACL final. It only highlights the importance of a manager’s research in a competition in which teams often go into fixtures blind.
Come Wednesday, that homework may mean the difference between success and failure on Asian club football’s greatest stage.
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jimbo said | November 3rd 2008 @ 1:28pm | Report comment
I’m sure Aurellio will be well prepared for this game and AU have performed very well in the ACL to date, even away from home. AU have the better defensive record of the two teams and Gamba the better attack.
Yes, Gamba are an attacking side that pass the ball around and break quickly from defence, but they are a similar side to Kashima in that regard. Gamba are rightly the favourites, but AU have been the underdog in every game and never expected to win, so don’t write them off.
An away goal will be precious and will be crucial in this game, as I expect Gamba to play better away at Hindmarsh, where they will get more room on the counter attack.
Paddy,
AU have won A-League silverware.
They won the Premiership Plate in year 1 and the Pre-season cup in year 2.
Kazama said | November 3rd 2008 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
jimbo: “the Pre-season cup in year 2.”
And year 3 too.
I’m expecting 180 minutes of nerve-shredding tension. I hope Adelaide win. I’m not sure I could handle watching both of my teams lose the champions league final in the same year.
Millster said | November 3rd 2008 @ 1:53pm | Report comment
AU need to come out of Hindmarsh with goal difference and a clean sheet. Its as simple as that. Very hard ask… but I’ll be gunning for them with all my might from little old Randwick.
dasilva said | November 3rd 2008 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
Honestly I can accept a 1-0 lost to Gamba Osaka away. It was good enough for the Soccerroos so it will be good enough for Adelaide.
In any case I’m ecstatic to find out I’ll be going to see the final after missing out tickets.
One of my international student friend from Japan bought tickets to go see Gamba play and he has a spare ticket which he is willing to let me buy off him at normal price. Awesome. I guess when Adelaide beats Gamba I have to not taunt and tease him too much as I normally would. sigh
ren said | November 3rd 2008 @ 2:07pm | Report comment
jimbo- “as I expect Gamba to play better away at Hindmarsh, where they will get more room on the counter attack. ”
pardon my ignorance but i thought all soccer fields were a regulation size.
Matt said | November 3rd 2008 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
I expect the comment about getting more room for the counter attack relates to the fact Adelaide United would more than likely play a more attacking game at home, leaving their midfield and defence more vulnerable to the counter attack. More “room” being the room allowed by the lesser defensive pressure at Hindmarsh than in Japan, where United are more likely to park the bus and hold out for a 0-0 or attempt to snag a 1-0 on the counter.
dasilva said | November 3rd 2008 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
ren
I think there is a minimum and maximum size of pitch but anything between that is the choice of the club
However i think Jimbo point was that at home Adelaide will have more of an attacking lmentality leaving spaces for Gamba to exploit in the counter attack.
jimbo said | November 3rd 2008 @ 3:04pm | Report comment
Ren,
Well put :)’
Gamba will be marked much tighter in their home game and will be less tightly marked in their game away game at Hindmarsh and will probably have more room to move, is what I meant.
They proved more dangerous away to Urawa than they did at home, so Aurellio will need to be aware of this.
Dave said | November 3rd 2008 @ 5:48pm | Report comment
AU need to get an away goal, as they did in the 1/4 final in Japan. They played very well in the first half of that away leg from memory and a repeat performance over 90 minutes will give them a great chance. If they are losing after the away leg hard to see them coming back…but will be cheering on the team in red for 2 more games.
Paddy Higgs said | November 4th 2008 @ 6:07pm | Report comment
Point taken Jimbo on the silverware AU has already won. I guess I was alluding to United not having won the league as yet, nor any continental competition, as Gamba has in recent season.
Cheers though, feedback always appreciated.
Paddy
dasilva said | November 4th 2008 @ 9:17pm | Report comment
Put on one eyed fanboy hat on
In most football countires in the world they would have considered Adelaide Utd to won the league in year one. Go first past the post.
jimbo said | November 4th 2008 @ 10:34pm | Report comment
Unfortunately the heavy match schedule is catching up with AU.
4 players are in doubt carrying injuries into tomorrow nights first leg of the final - Galekovic, Reid, Barbiero and Diego.
Coach said | November 5th 2008 @ 7:36pm | Report comment
Well written Paddy,
It will be great to see if the odd adage a team of champions beats a champion team,
Can’t wait to see if the fellas from the city of churches can beat the million dollar men
dasilva said | November 5th 2008 @ 10:24pm | Report comment
What a depressing match. I feel the same shell shock emotions watching that match like I did watching Australia play in Montevideo back in 2001.
No injustice, no sporting cruelty
Just outclass by a better team
3-0 was rather flattering to Adelaide. We could say the injuries, fatigue cost as and it probably did. However Gamba showed Adelaide that the J league is still the standard bearers in Asia. Technically they were much stronger than Adelaide and seeing Adelaide players having troubled controlling the ball with the first touch makes me think that we have a long way to go yet. The passing move from Gamba during injury time was beautiful and should have cap of the night with the 4th goal (or 5th if you count the free kick).
Oh well it’s a great ride for Adelaide. We did great to make it to the final so it’s already a great achievement no matter what happen
Now beat Gamba 4-0 in Hindmarsh next week.
Koala Bear said | November 6th 2008 @ 8:44am | Report comment
dasilva,
Adelaide were not in the game for 70 min of it; totally out played .. I had watch online on this occasion and although the reception was very poor I did see a glimmer of hope in the last 20 + add mins. The Reds started to fire up and push forward .. This suggests to me that it will be a hell of a game in the return leg.. Remember teams like Man U and Liverpool 3 nil down in a UCL finals, came out in the last 45 mins to win the title.. This will be Aurelio’s greatest test he can say to himself well it was great ride while it lasted or he can now fire up the team with enthusiasm and energy for the last 90 mins; he will only need to get a 3 nil result to send it int extra time.. then from there hold on to your hats…
~~~~~~~
KB
Millster said | November 6th 2008 @ 9:13am | Report comment
Dasilva is right - this was not about luck, it was about class. I love A-League and what Adealide have done, but we got a reminder last night of where we need to aim in Asia over the next few years. This is a good thing, not a bad thing. If we can be genuinely competitive against the J-League on an ongoing basis, then I will be smiling. And I already am to some extend because what cannot be taken away from AU is that they are in the final, and they beat the Japanese champion in Kashima to get there.
There’s not shame whatsoever in admitting that we’re not there yet. But AU’s adventure, even if it ends in defeat, shows that we are within sight.
KB - I’d like to see a win for the fans at Hindmarsh, and for the FIFA dudes and pollies. But to overturn a 3-0 against what is simply a better team is improbable and, even if it happens, wouldd be more good luck than good management.
Kazama said | November 6th 2008 @ 9:24am | Report comment
Well, I did say I don’t believe in miracles. So much for “nerve-shredding tension.”
Sorry to be the cynic again, but the tie’s over. Yes, teams have come back from 3-0 down in the first leg to win before, but that isn’t going to happen here. Why? Adelaide hasn’t been beating teams because they are a superior team; they have been winning because they have been so well organised and willing to bust their guts for 90 minutes. Last night I saw none of that. I saw 11 tired players who simply couldn’t inspire themselves to one more outstanding performance. You could see on the players faces and in their body langauge that they knew after the first goal went in that they were beaten. With Costanzo and Galekovic out of the tie, it drives our task further towards becoming the impossible.
Vidmar’s post-match interview hardly inspires hope. One of the greatest second-leg comebacks in recent times, Deportivo’s 4-0 wipeout of AC Milan a few years back, was IMO driven by their manager’s bullish post-match interview. After losing 4-1 in Milan, their manager remarked something along the lines of “if they can score four goals on their pitch, we can score four on ours.” Instead, Vidmar’s depressing words will no doubt be sending the message to the players that it’s all over.
Gamba are a very good team and will almost certainly be crowned deserving winners of the ACL at Hindmarsh Stadium on 12th November 2008. I urge any United fans who feel we can’t win to head out to Hindmarsh anyway. The boys have done an incredible job this season and they deserved to be thanked for that. Even if we lose the tie 6-0 I expect that they should still be given a standing ovation. Also, Gamba deserve to be congratulated for playing the best attacking football of any team in Asia this season and hopefully giving A-League clubs a blueprint for how to entertain fans and still win matches. Finally, it may be the only time we will ever see a major club trophy presented on Australian soil.
jimbo said | November 6th 2008 @ 10:05am | Report comment
Yes, the J-League, on average, is better than the A-League but the result last night is not a true indication of the gap. Gamba played well and was the better side no doubt.
Gamba had a week off to prepare for this game while AU didn’t. AU also had four players carrying injuries and Reid not available.
The biggest concern was Galekovic, the keeper, who has been AU’s best player on the way to the final.
The Japanese keeper was able to sprint off his line and snuff out any good through balls, while Galekovic was carrying a hamstring injury and stayed rooted to the goal line and couldn’t sprint out to narrow the angle, which proved fatal. There were also some uncharacteristic mistakes in defence that led to the first 2 goals and AU failed to convert any chances they had.
Its unlikely AU can win from here, but they will put on a much better display at home next week and will get a rest this weekend to help overcome the injuries and better prepare for the game.
Galekovic and Costanzo picked up their second yellow cards and won’t be in the final leg, but what a chance now for Birighitti, only 17 years and Daniel Mullen, 19, to come in and shine.
Games like last night will only help improve the standard and experience of AU and other A-League clubs and players and they will strive to do better next time, which is part of our nature anyway.
Win lose or draw, there’s still a lot of positives for AU and Aussie football.
Congratulations to AU for the progress they have made, their financial success and qualifying for the FIFA World Club championship just by getting to the ACL final.
Towser said | November 6th 2008 @ 10:28am | Report comment
The game last night was as much about possibilities than anything else.
The main one being that now Japanese clubs are serious about winning the ACL & the whole thing is being constantly updated & revamped by the AFC, there is going to be continuos growth in the regions domestic Leagues. Therefore continuos improvement in professionalism on & off the field.
Jimbo
In terms of being able to play slick speedy skilful football whilst still moving forward there is a large gap. Its called constructive football something most A-League clubs are incapable off.
When I see the Roar attack like Gamba did I’ll know the A-League is progressing.
I’ll acknowledge the reasons you put forward for Adelaides performance in comparison to previous ACL matches,but there is still a substantial gap.
jimbo said | November 6th 2008 @ 11:08am | Report comment
Towser,
Agree with your assessment.
But you only play as well as the opposition lets you. That was the worst I’ve seen AU play in the ACL or even the A-League . I’m sure we’ll see a different game at Hindmarsh.
The 3-0 win over Kuruvchi, showed how they can play a lot better.
MV just about matched Gamba in a very entertaining game at the Dome earlier this year and they didn’t have their best team available.
As raised in previous forums, comparing A-League to anything is not really a productive process. We all know we are still growing and maturing as a football nation and there are setbacks. If you want to go to an A-League game and see a Manchester United, Gamba or Roma, then save yourself the disappointment and stay at home.
Good or bad as it is, I love going along to the A-League or Socceroos games as often as I can. But I am getting sick and tired of taking people to A-League games just to hear them whinge and moan about everything from the beer to the standard of play to the referee to the colour of the grass. Spoils it for me and I’m not defending any of it for anyone’s benefit.
I love watching the game win, lose or draw, whether its EPL, A-League or my local 15 year olds running around - no matter how many other people turn up to watch it with me.
Midfielder said | November 6th 2008 @ 11:45am | Report comment
Were there is hope …..remember Obama ………come on AU
Towser said | November 6th 2008 @ 11:55am | Report comment
Jimbo
As a Roar fan I’ve missed only one home match in 4 seasons at Suncorp. But I,m not going to sit back & pretend that the garbage they coughed up the other Friday in another loss at home against Adelaide was anything more than the the “Pub Football” the annoying Frenchman sat next to me was espousing.
Rose coloured glasses=No improvement & after that match there was a newspaper article in the Courier Mail about fans discontentment with the Roars play at home.
No I’ve never been yet to an A-League match & expected to see ManU ,but I expect to see “professional Football” not ” Pub Football & an improvement on Season 1.
I will be back to see the Roar as usual on Saturday against Melbourne. The Frenchman as he told me several times will not.
This man was not young & had vast knowledge of Football. Their are many more football followers like him out there.
Now like him & like your friends you take along if the standard of football was the same as Gamba played last night & there were still complaints, I would have regarded “the Frog” as a whinger with no just reason. What irked me more than anything was that he was spot on.
dasilva said | November 6th 2008 @ 3:15pm | Report comment
Adelaide played their worst football in the ACL campaign at the worst moment. There are not as bad team as what they showned last night
However Adelaide Utd are a class below Gamba at the very least in terms of technique. Even a fully fit Adelaide team couldn’t play like Gamba even if they tried.
Adelaide only hope in beating Gamba or in fact beating any team in the ACL was tactical organisations, patiences, counter attack and a strong defence. Once one of the aspect of Adelaide failed, Adelaide collapse like a house of cards.
Now by some miracle Adelaide defeat Gamba 3-0 and win the ACL. It doesn’t change the fact that Adelaide are overly reliant on a strong defence and the counter attack. IMO there’s nothing wrong with Vidmar instructing his side to play that way as he is bringing out the best he can with the cattle he has. However that doesn’t change the fact that in the future we should aspire to improve our players and our technique to play more like Gamba in the future and that the J league are the standard bearers at least in a technical sense.
About next wednesday
I hope the crowd starts singing Don’t dream it’s over by Crowded House.
I’m just hoping for Adelaide to fight to the end and give Gamba a good scare.