2008 CWC: Adelaide United - Gamba Osaka (Quarterfinal #2) [R]

[SwissGCZ]

http://www.fifa.com/mm/photo/tournament/competition/95/13/60/951360_medium.jpg http://www.fifa.com/mm/photo/tournament/competition/95/13/67/951367_medium.jpg

Date: 14.12.2008 (19:30 Toyota)

TV: Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports en Español, ART Sport 3, Others (http://www.goalzz.com/main.aspx?c=4098)

Can Adelaide get revenge for the lost AFC CL final?

[almango]

Can Adelaide get revenge for the lost AFC CL final?

Based on what we saw in the first game I would say no. If they can reproduce the form they showed against Wellington in their last A League match then they might have a chance.

[SwissGCZ]

Based on what we saw in the first game I would say no.
Agreed. Adelaide hardly impressed against a stubborn Waitakere. What is the current status of the injured players? Which one(s) would be back for the game against Gamba?

[Wezza]

Agreed. Adelaide hardly impressed against a stubborn Waitakere. What is the current status of the injured players? Which one(s) would be back for the game against Gamba?

I don't think they have injury worries, it was a virus that went through the camp. So, you would think that most of the guys should have shaken it by tomorrow night.

[SwissGCZ]

Let's talk about Gamba for a moment.

After losing Baré to Al Ahli Dubai the current stars are Yasuhito Endo and Lucas. Perhaps a Japanese poster can give a more detailed profile. Gamba finished the 2008 J-League season in 8th place (Adelaide presently sits at the top of the A-League.) Gamba soundly beat Adelaide 5:0 on aggregate in the AFC CL final.

Add in the home support and Gamba are once again clear favorites over Adelaide.

[AKITOD]

Let's talk about Gamba for a moment.

After losing Baré to Al Ahli Dubai the current stars are Yasuhito Endo and Lucas. Perhaps a Japanese poster can give a more detailed profile. Gamba finished the 2008 J-League season in 8th place (Adelaide presently sits at the top of the A-League.) Gamba soundly beat Adelaide 5:0 on aggregate in the AFC CL final.

Add in the home support and Gamba are once again clear favorites over Adelaide.

Gamba play positive football and play with a different style to all other J.League sides. Dangerous players are Endo, Lucas. But Kaji and Yasuda the sidebacks are very good team as well and aren't afraid to take people on. Based on a quick passing game. Endo is incredibly dangerous at set pieces, arguably as good as Shunsuke Nakamura at FK's. He's the main danger.

[RickChelsea]

They really need to play out of their skins to win. It's not impossible, just very improbable.

[Wezza]

Heard on the news tonight that Diego is 50/50 at the moment. Adelaide need him & Cassio badly.

[GW Emperor]

My prediction for this Quarter Final match is as follows:

Adelaide United 0 - 2 Gamba Osaka

Therefore Gamba will go on to meet Manchester United in the Semi Finals, whereas Adelaide will go on to meet a most likely angry Al-Ahly, who will will want to depart this comp on a big high, this in the 5th/6th place playoff.

[Wezza]

1-0 to Gamba in the end, Endo scored on the 23rd minute. Adelaide had seceral good chances that they couldn't take. Dodd hit the crossbar once & sent 2 great chances just wide of the posts. Robbie Younis nearly scored with a long looping shot near the end, just went wide. Gamba wasted several good opportunities as well, defending from both teams was average at best tonight.

Possession was 54-46 to Gamba after the 1st half, though Adelaide dominated possession in the second. Much better performance by Adelaide this time around, they just need better quality in the final 1/3.

EDIT: Final possession was 50/50. Gamba had alot more shots on target than Adelaide, that's where they've got it all over them.

[SwissGCZ]

Adelaide played much better tonight but in the end it wasn't enough. The bottom line is the better team advanced. Gamba Osaka, as Asian Champions, earned their date with ManU.

Looking forward to the semis.

[el-capitano]

Much better display from Adelaide last night- just couldn't make the most of their chances- a draw at full time followed by extra time was probably deserved- but not to be. That's now over 270 minutes Adelaide could not score against Gamba! ;)