Adelaide: Former finalists Adelaide United return to the AFC Champions League for the first time since 2012 and kick-off their fifth continental campaign with a visit from familiar foes Gamba Osaka of Japan in Group H on Wednesday at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Gamba were the side who ended Adelaide’s finest continental campaign when they crushed the Australians 5-0 on aggregate in the 2008 final, although the record between the two clubs is perfectly balanced with two win each in their four meetings. The A-League side have struggled domestically, though, and sit bottom of the table although they are coming into Wednesday’s tie on the back of a 1-0 win over Newcastle Jets.
And when it comes to continental record, Adelaide have the upper hand on paper as they are unbeaten in their last six AFC Champions League games at home while Gamba are winless in their last eight AFC Champions League games. The J.Leaguers did, however, crush Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim 3-0 earlier this month in the play-offs to qualify for their ninth appearance in the AFC Champions League group stage.
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com