Asian Champions League

[trimster]

First legs of the Asian Champions'League quarter finals were played last night...

A mixed night for the three Japanese favourites, with Gamba Osaka winning 2-1 in Syria over Al Karamah; but Kashima Antlers were held 1-1 at home by Adelaide United, and holders Uruwa Reds going down 3-2 in Kuwait to Al Quadisiyah. Rivaldo's new club Kuruvchi drew 2-2 in Iran with Saipa.

Second legs will be played next Wednesday....

[trimster]

Asian Champions League

The second legs of the quarter finals saw a convincing win for Bunyodkor-Kuruvchi of Uzbekistan. They beat the Iranian club Saipa 5-1, with Chilean striker Villanueva scoring a hat trick, and Rivaldo scoring from the spot- they go through 7-3 on aggregate.

Two Japanese clubs are through to the semis: holders Urawa Reds recovered from their loss in Kuwait to beat Al Quadisiya 2-0, and go through 4-3 on aggregate. Gamba Osaka also won 2-0 at home over their Syrian opponents, to complete a 4-1 aggregate win.

Japanese champions Kashima Antlers, however, crashed 1-0 in Adelaide to the home side, and go out 2-1 on aggregate. Adelaide United finished only sixth in last season's A League. Defender Robbie Cornthwaite, who scored a comical own goal in Kashima last week, made ammends by heading the winning goal.

[Rory Bunk]

Asian Champions League

Congratulations trimster. That was a really entertaining match and great atmosphere (in the 2nd half anyway). I was really impressed by Adelaide's performance in the half I saw last week and they repeated it this week.

Did you make it to the game?

[trimster]

Asian Champions League

Yes- as reported on the A League thread!

The crowd of 17,000 meant every seat taken and about 2,000 standing!

Were about 2-300 Kashima fans there with the usual flags, banners, etc.

Was a tense match with the usual strange refereeing decisions and we were lucky on a couple of occaisions. Car parking around Hindmarsh is extremely difficult when there is a big crowd- now have to do it all again for the semi-final!

[Rory Bunk]

Asian Champions League

Not only do you get to square off with Rivaldo, it now looks like you'll be facing Zico too, as he's set to become Bunyodkor's new coach.

A bad round for West Asian/Middle Eastern sides that.

[Mumpo]

Asian Champions League

Littbarski out!

[beak]

Asian Champions League

Rory Bunk wrote:

Not only do you get to square off with Rivaldo, it now looks like you'll be facing Zico too, as he's set to become Bunyodkor's new coach.

fuck me, they're more enticing than newcastle i guess.

[Furtho]

Asian Champions League

The Urawa - Gamba semi is going to be worth keeping an eye on, because of the violence that took place when the two teams met in the J-League in May (an Urawa home game). Both clubs got a slap-on-the-wrist fine, but Gamba banned the Black & Blue Squad - one of their most hardcore ouendan (supporters' groups) - for their part in the trouble.

[trimster]

Asian Champions League

As already mentioned on Furtho's Japan thread: the first legs of the Asian Champions' League semi finals saw Adelaide United surprisingly beat the Zico-coached, Rivaldo-inspired Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan, by 3-0 at Hindmarsh Stadium. Three second half goals from Adelaide's own Brazilians Diego Walsh and Cristiano, and local youngster Fabian Barbiero, saw the Reds home.

The all-Japanese clash between Gamba and Urawa Reds ended in a 1-1 draw.