Adelaide United’s AFC Champions League campaign has got off to a difficult start after falling to Gamba Osaka 3-0 at Hindmarsh Stadium on Wednesday night.
The classy Japanese outfit dominated large periods in the South Australian capital and all but sealed the result in the first half after netting twice in the opening period before adding a third in the final 10 minutes.
Gamba raced out of the blocks and enjoyed the bulk of the possession in the first stanza as Adelaide struggled to contain the ball movement of their J-League opponents.
The visitors’ dominance was eventually rewarded midway through the half with Shun Nagasawa burying a well-taken header after some neat build-up.
Adelaide grew into the contest and threatened in patches with Nikola Mileusnic and Ben Garrucio creating decent chances for the hosts.
But it was Gamba who continued to press and doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time with Yasuyuki Konno finishing off a swift counter-attack for Kenta Hasegawa’s side.
The Japanese outfit remained in control after the interval and netted a third with 10 minutes remaining after Dylan McGowan turned the ball into his own net.
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GOALS
0-1 – Gamba Osaka: Shun Nagasawa, 21’
Oh Jae-Suk was afforded acres of space on the right flank and delivered a whipping ball into the box with Nagasawa rising highest to bury a powerful header past John Hall.
0-2 – Gamba Osaka: Yasuyuki Konno, 45+1’
Gamba broke forward quickly with Yosuke Ideguchi’s initial strike falling into the path of Konno, with the midfielder making no mistake from 12 yards, firing into the roof of the net.
0-3 – Gamba Osaka: Dylan McGowan (OG), 81’
Reds keeper John Hall completely missed a free-kick from Genta Miura with the ball hitting McGowan who inadvertently directed the ball into his own net.
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