Reds Qualify

Adelaide United has created history by becoming the first Hyundai A-League side to make the Asian Champions League quarter-finals.

United reached the final eight after a tense 0-0 draw away at Changchun Yatai was enough to see them top Group E ahead of the Chinese side.

The Reds, knowing all they needed from the match was a draw, did it the hard way, as they absorbed barrage after barrage from Changchun in the first-half.

Changchun should have been ahead after just four minutes when Cao Tianbao failed to make the most of a three-on-two situation after he had rounded Reds’ goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic.

Galekovic was unconvincing in the opening twenty minutes and with left-sided midfielder Du Zhenyu causing problems, it was an uneasy opening stanza for the visitors.

Changchun could have gone ahead again, when they took a quick free kick which allowed big Ivory Coast forward Guillaume Dah Zadi enough time to lash a bending shot in on goal, but despite beating Galekovic, the ball hit the woodwork.

Adelaide’s best chance of the half came through centre back Sasa Ognenovski who got on the end of a Kristian Sarkies corner but couldn’t direct his header on goal.

The hosts had dominated possession in the first-half but failed to make the most of it and it seemed to frustrate them after the break. Changchun’s best player Du Zhenyu tired and without him they ran out of ideas.

The Reds rode Changchun’s best efforts comfortably and Galekovic’s goal was rarely threatened. United were happy to hold on for a point which would see them through to the quarter-finals.

The tense contest almost came to a head when Du Zhenyu launched a crude challenge on Angelo Costanzo late in the match. While Costanzo was calm about the tackle, fellow defender Ognenovski took offence, and wanted to get involved with the Chinese midfielder. The frustrated Du Zhenyu was soon substituted.

The crowd too got frustrated and disappointingly threw several bottles at United’s Lucas Pantelis when the midfielder went to take a corner. It was fast becoming a grim night for the hosts.

Changchun though, simply ran out of ideas in a lacklustre second-half with long ball after long ball failing to worry the Reds’ defence. Their was a late chance for the hosts from a corner but Ognenovski easily cleared the danger off the line.

In the end, Adelaide celebrated a memorable night having created history. It was also the ideal way to send off retiring veteran Richie Alagich in his last game with the club.

The Reds will find out their next opponents this weekend when the draw for the quarter-finals is announced in Kuala Lumpur. For now though, they will enjoy the moment.

Changchung Yatai 0
Adelaide United 0
Changchun City Stadium