The virus that swept through the Adelaide United camp prior to their Club World Cup opener against Waitekere United certainly seemed to take its toll, with the Reds turning in a shaky performance on their intercontinental debut.
They may have won 2-1, but they were anything but convincing as Adelaide relied on goals from set pieces to sneak passed the semi-professional Kiwi side.
Speaking to ex-Socceroo captain Ned Zelic at half-time, he was apprehensive about Adelaide’s chances in a rematch with Asian champions Gamba Osaka.
“Gamba are technically so good and are able to break down defences,” said Zelic.
“On the basis of the Champions League final and from what I’ve seen tonight, I can’t see how Adelaide are going to do that.”
It’s hard to disagree with such sentiment, but Adelaide will be hell-bent on revenge when they take on Gamba at Toyota Stadium with the Reds seeking redemption for that Champions League thrashing.
There’s no doubt that Gamba are tired following a gruelling domestic season, but wily coach Akira Nishino may have some aces up his sleeve.
Several Gamba players have featured only sporadically this season, including ex-Japan striker Ryuji Bando, who has missed most of the campaign through injury.
Veteran defender Akira Kaji and young striker Masato Yamazaki both missed the final J. League game of the season through suspension, and Brazilian striker Roni has rarely featured since his mid-season arrival to replace the departed Baré.
Even Hayato Sasaki has hardly played his season – starting just five games in the J. League – but he caused constant headaches for the Adelaide defence in the Champions League final with his pace and movement off the ball.
As such the Osakans may not be quite as fatigued as first thought, and they will be highly motivated to win through to a semi-final showdown with Manchester United in their own country.
They also have the benefit of having played at Toyota Stadium this season, where they beat Nagoya Grampus 2-1 back in May thanks to a double from inspirational striker Baré.
Fortunately for the Reds, Baré now plays his club football in the United Arab Emirates. Toyota Stadium is still standing though, and it’s undoubtedly one of the best sporting arenas in Asia.
It’s often referred to as the “home” of J. League club Nagoya Grampus, although that description is not entirely true.
Toyota Stadium actually lies around 35km outside Nagoya and Grampus only play marquee fixtures there, otherwise calling the decrepit Mizuho Stadium home.
What is certain is that Toyota Stadium is a magnificent venue, and it’s a far cry from the dilapidated Expo ’70 Stadium in Osaka where Adelaide lost the first leg of the Champions League final to Gamba.
A rematch with Gamba at the high-tech venue was precisely what Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar wanted, and when asked how his team could beat the Osakans, the Adelaide tactician’s response was succint.
“We need to score goals.”
They certainly do, but Adelaide may need to a lot more than just that if they are to keep the attacking threat of the likes of Yasuhito Endo and Lucas Severino at bay.
They’ll certainly need to be more compact at the back, with Waitakere’s Fijian flyer Roy Krishna giving the Adelaide defence a torrid time in Tokyo.
Adelaide keeper Eugene Galekovic was also uncharacteristically shaky, although he was offered little protection from his back four against the Oceania champions.
Food for thought for Aurelio Vidmar and his team, and if tournament football is all about gradual improvement, Vidmar will be looking to speed up the learning process.
United did just enough against Waitakere, but they need to improve if it is to be third-time lucky against Gamba Osaka.
aki
Guest
I'm sorry. But keep in mind Waitakere United are semi-professional. The fact that AU warmed up against them for the gamba game probably will bring their form down a bit cause their understanding of quality will be worse than coming off A-League. Gamba play a game that Adelaide can't deal with cause Adelaide will try mainly for defence and counter style play. On top of that, Adelaide might not have Ogenovski and Diego. Diego provides all their real attacking spark and he was sorely missed in the Waitakere match. Adelaide could only seem to send in hopeful cross after cross. For those thinking AU got it wrong tactically. They tried to play defence and counter in the first leg and lost 3-0. Then in the 2nd leg they tried to play a more attacking game and still got beaten 2-0. Aurelio Vidmar has said nothing of confidence leading up to the game so I think he's struggling to find the formula to beat Gamba. I predict a 3-0 win to Gamba Osaka.
jimbo
Guest
KB, AU's tactics were all wrong in the ACL final and in the end they had a hopeless quest to play catch up and just gave Gamba more room and more goals. If they play like Waitekere did and use some smarter tactics in holding midfield positions to give Gamba no room in midfield and cut the service to the forwards, like the Socceroos do and patiently wait for the right opportunities, then AU might just pull off the upset. Koji and the Tokyo Crew are cruising in the Coaster and I gave them Aurelio’s instructions about parking the bus at the right end of the field. Hopefully they’ll get it right this time. More good news, Doris has agreed to be the FFA’s World Cup Bid Ambassadoress and has managed to squeeze herself into that nice little House of Verbeek low cut number.
dasilva
Roar Guru
KB I love your optimism Why not continue on with the 3rd giant killing upset in the final
Koala Bear
Guest
Lads, quite frankly I was surprised by Waitekere fc and thought they went into this match with a very good game plan of counter attacking football .. AU had some very good attacking moments .. However, the final execution of the delivery of those crosses into the WFC box were predictable; as a result were cut out by the two big central defenders .. The possession, the corners etc, all favoured the AU outfit .. Some hairy moments at times, but nothing in the end that showed that AU were going to lose the match .. Gamba will underestimate AU and AU will take full advantage with a fresh fully fit squad .. I was not convinced that Gamba were a class above AU during the ACL championship playoffs. This will be a game at the end of day that AU will win to then face a jet lagged Man U and Man U will in turned be a unconcerned in facing a fresh determined AU that is hell bent to prove RW that she is an ignoramus, and to prove to Australia they are indeed a quality side.. I'm tipping two major giant killing upsets... :D ~~~~~~~ KB
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Wally, this match was part of the FIFA Club World Cup - an incontinental tournament that features the champions of the six FIFA confederations. Adelaide qualified by virtue of being runners-up in the AFC Champions League, as FIFA only allow one team from the host country to participate (in this case that team is Asian champion Gamba Osaka). The tournament is an extension of the Intercontinental Cup that took place in Japan from 1980 to 2004. It was expanded in 2005 and became the FIFA Club World Cup, although a similar tournament was also organised by FIFA in Brazil in 2000. Mattay, I certainly believe that Adelaide need some more creativity across the centre of the park but as it currently stands there's only a 50/50 chance of Diego featuring on Sunday night.
Wallythefly
Guest
Can someone tell me why Adelaide and the Kiwi team had to fly to Japan to play this game? Was it because it needed to be a neutral venue or what? Seems a bit rough on the players...
Mattay
Guest
Adelaide's central midfield was poor. Reid is the best of the bunch but is not a creative player. Spagnuolo is a winger who peaked in his first season with the club and has been poor since. Sarkies, well what can you say. A very average performance from what is becoming a very average player. Only creativity was out wide, but when your lone striker is dwarfed by physical defenders of WU, then all the crosses in the world will go unrewarded. It took 2 set pieces converted by headers from wide-players to get the goals - not very conventional. It was poor coaching from Vidmar, but once again he was limited by the squad restrictions in place. With Ognenovski, Cassio and Walsh back, it should allow Vidmar to shuffle the central midfield. We should also have a lot more space as Gamba will not be defending as heavily as the New Zealanders were. A win's a win - onward and upward.
dasilva
Roar Guru
Adelaide did played crap but we know that they are a better side then that. Cassio and ognenovski will be back. Maybe Diego as well. I think that New Zealand camping players behind the ball made it difficult for Adelaide. Australians sides aren't the best at breaking down organized defense. Gamba will definitely play a more open game then Waitekere. The role will be reversed for Gamba Osaka which is not necessary a bad thing. Hopefully Adelaide can limit Gamba to a few scoring chance and nick a goal in the counter (aka Pohang and Kashima)
Midfielder
Guest
Dave AU played crap the score was close butbwe need to lift 100% to have a hope against Gamba.
Dave
Guest
Jimbo I was on the edge of my seat watching AU last night and not because of excitement...l was just getting ready to go and turn the TV off when WU got a winner :) Interesting to note on Ch 9 Today show AU's win was the lead sports story. Agreed though the next game will have me on the edge of my seat for different reasons, even though l'm a MV fan. Will celebrate loudly if AU can get over Osaka.
jimbo
Guest
Dave, those 2 AU goals were classy and young Mullen's goal was excellent. He is turning out to be a quality player and still only 19. The way Gamba outclassed AU in the ACL final, you woldn't give them a chance of beating them and going on to meet the Manchester United of the EPL in the semi. But I guess as underdogs, they've got as much chance of upsetting Gamba as Waitekere did of upsetting AU. Another intriguing game to look forward to on SBS, Sunday night.
Dave
Guest
Due to the nature of the game football always gives the underdogs a chance...this worked against AU last night when they were given a mighty fright by a determined and organised team playing their 'final'. AU were poor but that was not reflected on the scoreboard where they won and in a knockout comp it doesnt matter how much you win by. AU will need to improve across the board from the shaky performance of Galekovic through to the annonymous performance of Christiano. How ever now they are the underdogs and in a sense the pressure has been lifted...lets hope that is reflected in their style of play, decision making and execution of skills which were poor last night. Might add their 2 set piece goals were excellent.