Adelaide United are looking to hang on to their Asian Champions League finals spot as they make the trip to the last-placed Gamba Osaka. Catch all the live scores, highlights and action on The Roar from 8pm (AEST).
Picking up their first win of the Group Stages just two weeks ago against Jeju United, Adelaide have snuck their way into second place in Group H and sit in the all-important top two.
While Jiangsu Sainty are too far out of reach at the top of the pile, the battle for that second Round of 16 spot is heating up with just a couple of games to go.
Just one point separates Adelaide with Gamba Osaka at the bottom of the group, who also have one win to their name.
That win came against tonight’s opponent in the opening contest of the tournament.
Osaka cruised past the Reds in a fairly comfortable 3-0 victory, however, three Champions League losses on the trot have left them dangling at the wrong end of the standings.
Adelaide haven’t had an outstanding tournament either, but recent form has seen them overturn two opening losses with a win and draw in their past two games.
They’re not exactly coming in off blistering domestic form either. A two-all draw in the final game of the A-League season ten days ago saw them just rear their head of the bottom of the ladder.
The one point allowed them to only finish second last, a far cry from their championship winning run of the season prior.
Osaka are looking much stronger in terms of recent game time, coming into this one fresh off a blistering 6-0 romp of Omiya Ardija in the J-League just four days ago.
They’re sitting second in the league at the moment, but have just struggled to translate that domestic form in the Champions League.
Adelaide will be without a few familiar faces, with three players missing out due to suspension.
Riley McGree, Dylan McGowan and Taylor Regan have all been left off the plane to Japan.
Prediction
Group H has been all over the place in this year’s tournament and it could really go anywhere.
Judging off their last meeting, home ground advantage, and recent form back home, it’s hard to go past Gamba on this one, but Adelaide have proven to be much stronger in the Champions League in recent times.
Expect Adelaide to bag a goal or two, but Osaka should push themselves up the standings after this one.
Osaka to win 2-1.
Catch all the live scores, highlights and action on The Roar from 8pm (AEST).
Swanny
Guest
Well done Adelaide Aussie teams going ok in Asia
Ken Spacey
Guest
I'm removing my kidney with a stanley knife and putting it on Ebay so we can keep Baba in Adelaide. Well done boys! Thanks for the coverage hear too!
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Absolute cracker of a game.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME The final whistle of the game sounds and Adelaide have stolen a draw from the jaws of defeat in an absolute thriller of a 3-all draw. Osaka shot out of the gate with two goals in the opening 13 minutes of the contest, including an absolute ripper of a long-range strike from Ritsu Doan. The Reds looked a long way behind the contest, but they shot back into the fight with a goal on either side of the halftime break to equalise in what looked like a game that could have turned ugly. The final half an hour was a back and forth duel as both sides desperately looked to break the dead lock. A missed spot kick from Yasuhito Endo was forgiven a few minutes later when an unlucky deflection from Michael Marrone found the back of the net, giving the home side the lead. It all came down to the wire and, in the second minute of stoppage time, Baba Diawara fired home the header to make it three goals a piece. The draw keeps United ahead of Gamba in Group H as they look to keep their spot in the Round of 2016. Osaka - 3 Adelaide - 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +4 YELLOW CARD A little scuffle with Higashiguchi, the Gamba keeper, and an Adelaide player. The Osaka stopper gets his name in the book for the infringement. Osaka – 3 Adelaide – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +3 Osaka looking to attack now, they don't want to settle for the draw... but Adelaide are pressing hard up front as well. Can there be one more twist in the tale? Osaka – 3 Adelaide – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +2 There's a player down and we'll take a minute as trainers tend to the injury. Gamba look in disbelief. They've been right on top of this game a few times but Adelaide just haven't given up. Osaka – 3 Adelaide – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +1 GOAL ADELAIDE!!!! THE REDS EQUALISE!!! A free kick for Adelaide out on the right wing, the delivery is pin-point right into the centre of the box and it's all Diawara from there!! He leaps above his marker and knocks it on off the melon and into the left side of the net. How about that. Osaka – 3 Adelaide – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +4 minutes of stoppage time. Plenty of time to cause some damage. Osaka – 3 Adelaide – 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
89' Isaias lining it up well within shooting range.... Ooohhhh but he's made a mess of that one. Sends it high and wide, a long way from goal. He's disappointed. Osaka – 3 Adelaide – 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
88' Free kick for Adelaide right on the edge of the box!!! Massive shot on goal coming up here. Cand Adelaide snake the draw? Osaka – 3 Adelaide – 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
87' Gamba clearing long down the right wing. They've been content just to hammer the ball up the other end of the park as soon as they get it. Osaka – 3 Adelaide – 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
86' Ademilson on the counter now!!! He has support but the red shirts swarm the ball and Adelaide continue to fight for a result here. Osaka – 3 Adelaide – 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
85' Adelaide running out of time now and the signs of desperation are beginning to crack through. Osaka – 3 Adelaide – 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
84' DOAN AGAIN!!! He's had a very good game tonight and he nearly snagged another one. Cutting back across the top of the box, he fires off the left foot towards the bottom corner of goal, just running it wide of the posts having beaten the keeper. Osaka – 3 Adelaide – 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
83' Adamilson looking to slice on in from range!!! But he finds the body of an Adelaide defender instead. Osaka – 3 Adelaide – 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
82' Adelaide up on halfway but they have a mountain of numbers up front... but a sloppy turnover gifts Gamba the turnover and the chance to counter!! Osaka – 3 Adelaide – 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
81' Inside the final ten minutes now. Gamba holding the lead. Can Adelaide conjure something up here? Osaka – 3 Adelaide – 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
80' SUBSTITUTION Adelaide making a change with Ryan Kitto coming on to the park, taking the place of Mileusnic. Osaka – 3 Adelaide – 2