Adelaide: Finals footy alive in September

Adelaide taking their city to Asia, and I ain't talking about the Crows!

Anyone who saw Urawa Reds or Gamba Osaka take on Sydney and Melbourne in previous Asian Champions League encounters will have expected the cashed up Japanese club Kashima Antlers to give Adelaide a good thumping in the home game of the Asian Champions League Quarter Finals...but they didn't.

Adelaide United drew 1-1 and probably should have won given the bizarre own goal by Robbie Cornthwaite and missed chances in particular from Paul Reid.

United have started the A-League season, despite their points tally, less than impressive. Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite have gone. Flowing football has been rare, except against the hapless New Zealand side Wellington Phoenix.

So after been beaten by ten-man Melbourne Victory last weekend most Aussies neutrals(if there is such a thing when we play in Asia) weren't expecting too much on an Australian sides first ever ACL quarter final.

But the Reds were excellent.

Once again they seem to be more Asian than Australian. The style and discipline that gained results against Pohang in Korea earlier in the tournament was again evident.

New players did well.

Paul Reid, former Wollongong Wolves star, is a great addition to the A-League. A modern footballer, in centre midfield, who can play the ball adds great value to the team.

Although he did miss a match winning opportunity the fact that he was in that position at that stage of an away game is great for Coach Aurelio Vidmar.

And Vidmar is working miracles. Bonding a new team, a team to play in Asia now on the cusp of the Semi-Final.

Scott Jamieson is another back from England, Bolton Wanderers. In the same Australian Youth side as Kaz Patafta, Jamieson has started the season at left-back in the place of Red's injured favourite Cassio.

His assured left footed displays means his future with Adelaide or elsewhere is a given.

And it's great to see a sharp incisive left footer playing from the back , and an Aussie at that. He can only get better.

Diego is still to return to his best but he will, Travis Dodd was outstanding as he has been everytime in Asia.

And I'd have Cristiano ahead of the increasingly immobile Paul Agostino. Is Agostino another overseas striker who came back to late to play in the percieved weaker Aussie league. Again it's the former overseas star who is struggling to meet the grade, not the league.

There were many hero's.

Kashima surprised. Given the depth of the other Japanese teams we have seen, it was a poor Kashima performance. Particularly in the first half.

Well off the pace, allowing United space all over the midfield. It was strange to see a Japanese side so slow to the ball.

For United next weeks home game where they need a win or a 0-0 draw should be a belter. Finals football in September in Adelaide.

An Asian Champions League Semi-Final place awaits.

This weekend they take on Sydney FC, and that'll be a great game as well.

And of you want style I'd be leaving John Alosi for Sydney and Paul Agostino for United on the benches.