Kashima Antlers coach Oswaldo de Oliveira Filho would like to see the AFC Champions League format changed so the form teams in the first stage are rewarded.
The Antlers dominated Group F scoring 28 goals in six games but felt disadvantaged by playing the first leg of the quarter final at home.
They drew that game 1-1 and then were under greater pressure than Adelaide to score at Hindmarsh Stadium on Wednesday. In the end it was the Reds that emerged 1-0 victors – Robert Cornthwaite heading home the winner in the 73rd minute.
Oswaldo said he felt his team’s performances should have given them the right to travel first, as is the case in other competitions around the world.
“We don’t have any bonus because we had the best performance, you go by the toss, this I think is not a good measure in my opinion,” he said.
“If we play the game here first, knowing the result at home we can prepare for the situation.”
“I think this is something we have to consider.”
Despite his grievances, Oswaldo thought Adelaide United was the better side over two legs of the quarter final. The Brazilian praised the South Australian team’s evenness across the ground and their ability to ‘close space’ in their defensive half.
“We missed good opportunities but Adelaide also had good chances to score … I think we missed our chance there in Kashima,” he said.
“We should have decided the situation there and then come here.
“That’s why I think Adelaide deserved it. They played a game of 180 minutes, not only today.”
Oswaldo said his players were obviously disappointed with the result but would turn their attention to the J-League.
“We had a dream to progress to the next phase, we had very good results in the first part of the competition but that is the life of football – winning and losing is part of the game,” he said.
The Antlers’ championship hopes were delivered a blow when Toru Araiba suffered a hamstring injury and then midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara hurt his knee during a J-League game last weekend.
Oswaldo said the Antlers ‘missed them a lot’ but didn’t use them an excuse for the loss.
“I can not think of Mitsuo Ogasawara now, I have to think about building a team from the players I have,” he said.
“Of course we wait until he comes back.”
