Asian Champions League 2010

Adelaide lose but stay top
by Chris Dunkerley

Group H - Week 6 - 2nd Leg
8:00pm, Tuesday 27 April, 2010
at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide


Adelaide United FC 0
lost to
Shandong Luneng Taishan FC 1
(Li Wei 52')



(Li Wei scored - Photo linked from AFC web site)

Adelaide United went down 0-1 at home to Chinese club Shandong Luneng on Tuesday evening but still finished on top of the group and thus a home round of 16 game, after Sanfrecce Hiroshima defeated Pohang Steelers 4-3 in Japan

The visitors took the lead early in the second half against the run of play when newcomer Li Wei was played in down the left and turning an advancing Robbie Cornthwaite he steered the ball with some venom past Eugene Galkovic in the Adelaide goal. The Reds for their part dominated possesion and most of the play but were unable to break down the Shandong defence.

The Chinese were solid in central defence despite United creating plenty of opportunities, and the Reds could not reproduce the incisive play that gained them a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture.

With news filtering through that Pohang Steelers had come back from 3-1 down to draw level with Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Japan, United increased its pressure late in the match.

"I am very happy because of the result and the result is excellent for us, 1-0, especially when you win away," said Shandong coach Branko Ivankovic. "I want to congratulate my players because they left their hearts on the field and they wanted to go out, finish the competition with a proud honest performance and I congratulate them." "I'm very happy about the defensive line because we didn't have three regular players or a recognised sweeper." he said. "Our left back, number 16 (Zheng Zheng) played sweeper for the first time, and I'm really satisfied with the whole team.

Caretaker Adelaide boss Joe Mullen conceded it was a flat end to the group stage for his side but drew on the positive that the Reds finished top of Group H after Pohang lost at Sanfrecce and secured a home final in the round of 16.

"It was a game that I thought we dominated really, but it's a game where you need to score goals, especially in this league. We didn't do that and we lost the game," Mullen added. "They did hit us on the break. We had the momentum and in the first-half, I think they only had one chance on goal. Although we conceded we still had plenty of time after that but we just couldn't capitalise."

"The result is disappointing on the night, but the good thing to come out of the night is we finished top still," he said. "We lost the game, which is the bitter bit about tonight, but the positive is over six games we finished top of the group and it gives us a home final on May 12, that is the good thing." Adelaide host Kashima Antlers of Japan.

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