Adelaide United set for Gamba Osaka upset
Adelaide United FC heads into tonight’s FIFA Club World Cup Quarter Final against AFC champions Gamba Osaka as clear underdogs, but is confident they can pull off a major upset at Japan’s Toyota Stadium.
After defeating Oceania-s Waitakere United in the opening match of the tournament, Adelaide United has an opportunity to turn the tables on a Gamba side that defeated The Reds 5-nil on aggregate over two legs in the AFC Champions League Final back in November.
While that result points all in Gamba-s favour heading into tonight-s rematch, United Coach Aurelio Vidmar believes his team has what it takes to overcome the J-League club and comes into the match with nothing to lose.
“We go into every game thinking that we-re going to win so this is no different. We know Gamba are a fantastic side and we saw that in the two legs of the ACL Final but this is a new game, a new day, new surroundings and in football you never know what can happen,” Vidmar said at the official pre match media conference.
“There-s certainly no pressure on Adelaide United. All of the pressure is on Gamba. They-ve beaten us over two legs and they-re expected to win, we were in exactly the same position on Thursday when we played Waitakere. Everyone expected us to win, the pressure was on us to win but there-s absolutely no pressure on us tomorrow (Sunday) night.”
Unlike the two legs of the ACL Final, Vidmar will have arguably his strongest line up on the park tonight, with rugged defender Sasa Ognenovski and creative Brazilian playmakers Cassio and Diego all set to come into the starting eleven that defeated Waitakere. Angelo Costanzo, Jason Spagnuolo and Kristian Sarkies are expected to make way for the trio.
Diego was only a 50-50 chance of playing three days ago due to a groin strain, but he completed last night-s team familiarisation session at Toyota Stadium and Vidmar says if all goes to plan, the former Miami FC midfielder will take his place against Gamba.
“He (Diego) looked quite good so that-s part one of the assessment and after more treatment on the morning of the game, we-ll see how he pulls up. He looked really good at training so fingers crossed he comes through the night without any problems and he should be fine,” Vidmar said.
Goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic seems to be over a virus that has troubled him for the past few days, and United will need the 27 year old to reproduce the form he showed throughout The Reds- AFC Champions League campaign to contain a lethal Gamba midfield and front line contingent.
Against Waitakere, both of United-s goals came from well executed set pieces and Vidmar says The Reds will look to force the issue in an attempt to put pressure on their Japanese opponents in their half of the field.
“I think we need to be aggressive in our approach right from the very first minute. When you-re aggressive and positive, you get yourself into situations where you can get some corners and set pieces,” Vidmar said.
“I think our set pieces have been much better over the last three or four weeks and it has been quite a good strength of our team.”
Awaiting tonight-s winner is a Semi Final encounter against English Premier League giants Manchester United on Thursday, and coupled with The Reds- desire to get one back on Gamba Osaka, there is no doubt United-s squad is preparing to put everything on the line come kick-off.
With a full house expected at an enclosed Toyota Stadium tonight, the stage is set for Adelaide United to step out in front of a world audience and take Australian club football where it has never been before.
Kick-Off is at 9.30pm (AEDT) and can be seen LIVE on SBS.
Adelaide United FC Squad v Gamba Osaka: 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 3.ALEMAO, 4.Angelo COSTANZO, 6.CASSIO, 8.Kristian SARKIES, 10.CRISTIANO, 11.Osama MALIK, 13.Travis DODD, 14.Scott JAMIESON, 15.Jonas SALLEY, 16.Daniel MULLEN, 18.Fabian BARBIERO, 19.Sasa OGNENOVSKI, 20.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 21.Jason SPAGNUOLO, 22.DIEGO, 23.Michael MARRONE, 24.Paul REID, 25.Robert YOUNIS, 30.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 40.Lucas ANDREUCCI (gk)