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Adelaide United have secured passage into the last 16 of the Asian Champions League by lodging a 0-0 draw with defending champions Pohang Steelers in South Korea.
United, mainly due to outstanding feats from ‘keeper Eugene Galekovic, withstood a wasteful Pohang attack to ensure progression in the tournament.
The Steelers also will advance, with both clubs leading Group H with 10 points – but Adelaide remains perched on top courtesy of goal difference.
The crucial top spot of the group will be determined in the final round of matches in a fortnight, with Adelaide hosting Chinese Shandong Luneng on April 27
The first-placed side will host a challenger in the knockout quarter-finals and the group runner-up sent on the road.
Adelaide’s performance in Pohang on Tuesday night was built on a stingy defensive mindset which benefited from the home side butchering a host of goal scoring opportunities.
The Korean club’s Brazilian forward Mota was the main culprit, missing gilt-edged chances in an encounter dominated by his side.
Pohang set the tone early with five shots on goal in the initial quarter of an hour as Adelaide struggled to find the ball, the visitors content to bank on their defensive unit to keep a clean sheet rather than overtly attack.
That trend continued until half-time sounded with the Reds rarely threatening in their half and unable to register a single shot on goal.
The second half continued in much the same vein, with Pohang in a five minute burst missing three serious chances – Taesu Kim, Jung Kyum Kim and Almir all spraying attempts from close range, the latter two off range with headers from inside the box.
Almir followed with a scissor kick in the 63rd minute which was spectacular but sailed straight to Galekovic, who was stoic under pressure and produced a string of pivotal saves.
The Steelers, who hadn’t lost at home in 10 previous ACL encounters – Adelaide was the last team to triumph in Pohang in March 2008 – pressed until the final whistle and five minutes from time Mota’s slick right footed shot was again denied by a Galekovic save.
Mota again had the chance to be a home town hero in the last minute when he swivelled and fired a left-footer, only to watch a perfectly positioned Galekovic again grasp the ball.
Adelaide defenders Scott Jamieson and Daniel Mullen, midfielder Lucas Pantelis and substitute Adam Hughes all received yellow cards in the fixture – Mullen’s transgression ruling him out of the final group match.
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