Adelaide power towards final but stalemate in Japan

Adelaide United took a giant stride towards their first AFC Champions League final on Wednesday but there was stalemate in Japan where Gamba Osaka and Urawa Reds played out a 1-1 draw.

The Australians scored three second-half goals to crush Uzbeki giants Kuruvchi 3-0 in their semi-final first leg, ensuring a handy buffer when they travel to Tashkent for the return tie on October 22.

They stifled their big-spending opponents with Brazil's former World Player of the Year Rivaldo largely anonymous, giving Kuruvchi's new coach Zico — who steered Japan to the 2004 Asian Cup title — plenty to ponder.

In Osaka, Gamba had to wait until nine minutes before the whistle for the equaliser with Japanese international Yasuhito Endo converting a penalty after Hajime Hosogai gave defending champions Urawa the lead on 22 minutes.

In front of a sold-out Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide turned the match in the 57th minute with a goal made in Brazil when Cassio's cross from the left was chested down by Diego who beat Kuruvchi keeper Pavel Bugalo.

The goal fired up the home team and midfielder Fabian Barbiero scored his first Asian goal in the 76th minute after more superb lead-up work from Diego and Cassio.

Diego cheekily back-heeled to give compatriot Cassio the space and time to lob in another cross for Travis Dodd to set up Barbiero's header past Bugalo.

Adelaide got a crucial third goal when Cassio was brought down by Timur Kapadze in the 89th minute for a penalty which Adelaide's third Brazilian import, Cristano, converted.

“We struggled in the first half and looked a bit tired,” Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar said.

“But at half-time I told them to play more direct and put as many balls in the box as possible and the goals came out of that.

“After Diego's opening goal we settled down a lot.”

While the odds of a final appearance are now stacked in Adelaide's favour, Gamba Osaka and Urawa still have everything to play for.

Gamba had the first sight of goal with six minutes gone when Urawa conceded a soft free-kick. After the ball was floated in it fell to Ryuji Bando in the six-yard box but the striker scooped the ball wide.

The home team had another chance 12 minutes later when Takahiro Futagawa was sent clear down the right and raced into the box but tried to beat Ryota Tsuzuki at his near post and the Reds keeper dropped down smartly.

The miss would prove costly as Urawa took the lead soon after.

Takahito Soma cleverly worked himself space down the left and, although his cross-cum-shot was blocked, the ball fell to Hosogai on the edge of the box and he drove a low shot through a crowd of players into the back of the net.

Gamba piled on the pressure after the interval and they got the equaliser when Soma was adjudged to have brought down Bando in the box.

Endo made no mistake from the spot, although Urawa have the handy away goal for the return leg.

“We began to show our aggressive nature in the second half but we were still dogged by the lack of finishing power,” said Gamba coach Akira Nishino.

“But I commend the players for pressing hard as they were rewarded with the penalty.”

Urawa manager Gert Engels said his side were raring to win at home.

“We won't look for a draw but we will fight to the limit and reach the final.”