Adelaide United will need to beat Group H winner Jiangsu Suning at Hindmarsh Stadium on the final match day of the Asian Champions League if they are to advance to the knockout stage of the competition.
The Reds will also be hoping Gamba Osaka do them a favour and knock off Jeju United in Korea following the results from Match Day 5.
United twice came from behind to draw 3-3 with Gamba and temporarily move to second in the group, but Jeju’s 2-1 win over Jiangsu in China shortly after saw the Reds drop to third, two points behind the Koreans.
Reds coach Guillermo Amor spoke after the clash in Japan, while Jeju was still in action against Jiangsu, and acknowledged the draw was handy but Adelaide’s fate largely rested with the outcome in China.
Now, nothing but a win against Chinese outfit Jiangsu in Adelaide on May 9 will do.
“It depends on the result of Jeju in China; they are playing now,” Amor said.
“We don’t know the (final) result now but it’s possible.”
“We have possibilities and the last game is at home against Jiangsu which is good for us.
“We arrive at the last game with possibilities.”
The Reds boss was ultimately satisfied with United’s performance against Gamba, despite hoping to leave Japan with more than just one point.
Amor also had to make do with a makeshift back four with starting stoppers Dylan McGowan and Taylor Regan missing through suspension, as was gun young midfielder Riley McGree.
“We played a good game today here in Japan against a good team,” Amor said.
“The result is not bad; we prefer always to win because two more points in this moment is very important for us.
“I’m content because our team played well and (they) fight and compete well.”
Amor applauded Adelaide’s fight back after conceding two goals inside the opening 12 minutes, before eventually levelling the scores before the hour.
United then came from behind a second time when Baba Diawara’s 92nd minute header rescued a point for the visitors.
Amor said the Reds’ desire to claw its way back into the contest and ultimately the Asian Champions League knockout stage calculations was crucial.
“Today was difficult because in the first minutes we received one or two goals,” he said.
“And after with 2-0 (down) the team wants to win.
“For me this is very important – they never give up.”
Ken Spacey
Guest
Garrucio has his moments too. Erratic but when he nails a set piece or a cross he reminds you of the best of Goody. Can weave his way through a defence at times.
punter
Guest
Both Sydney & Melbourne made it out of the group stages last year. Sydney was about 3 mins away from the 1/4s.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Sadly it looks like once again that none of the Australian teams will make it out of the group stages.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Between O'Doherty & McGree, Adelaide have some decent talent coming through the system. The final game-day will be a beauty with Adelaide, Gamba and Jeju all with a chance to progress with Jiangsu if they bag three points.
Lionheart
Guest
That was a boomer of a strike for ANZAC Day, and yep, those doom comparisons with Asia's progress do look a tad premature now. Well played Adelaide.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Wonderful, gutsy display by Adelaide. How good was that O'doherty strike? And to think, all the doom and gloom articles at the start of the ACL season because of one weekend.