Adelaide United Cook Up A Bit Of Aussie Footballing History!

By: Daniel | September 24th, 2008

Last night Adelaide United created history at the packed out Hindmarsh Stadium being the first A-League side to pass into the group stages of the Asian Champions League. The Second Leg of the quarters against Kashima Antlers will forever be remembere This is a great day for all supporters of the A-League out there and shows how far the League has come in a very short time.

It wasnt the best of games but the reds got it done against a talented Kashima side. Robbie Cornthwaite headed home a sweet ass Cassio cross to turn himself from villan (own Goal in the first leg) to hero!

Kashima seemed to play into the hands of united, repeatedly knocking in crosses from the wings which were easily cleared by Adelaids tall defenders. Easily MOTM in nmy opinion was Eugene Galekovic, dont think he put a foot wrong all game. In fact some media people actually said “wana swap keepers?” which is credit to eugie however it has presented some problems too.

Kashima and the rest of Japan have no salary cap whatsoever so therefore can pay players like (singled out by japan media) cassio and Travis Dodd enourmous wages ripping them from the salary-cap haulted A-League. Thsi is something that needs to be address and addressed immediatley if we wish to continue competing for glory in Asias top competition.

Another thing that got on my nerves a bit was the fans…of adelaide no less. I mean the joint was packed to the rafters but all i could here was ohhhhhhhh aaaaahhhhhhhhh and boring chants of United…United…United wtf!!! At times the Kashima supporters were louder! This isnt on! Show some flair you reds, ill write you up a song book if you want just do something!

end rant..

So yea United progress to the next stage where Adelaide will meet the winner of a match also taking place tonight between domestic league teams from Uzbekistan and Iran with home and away games to take place on 8 and 22 October.

If Adelaide win the semi-final over the two matches, they will play another home-and-away series on 5 and 12 November to decide the Asian Champions for 2008 and stand to share in prizemoney of US$1.0 million.

Happy Days!

Match Report