Adelaide have been the surprise packets in this group so far with back-to-back wins and they won’t fear heading to Korea to face the Steelers.
Date: Tuesday, April 3
Kick-off: 9pm AEDT, 7pm local
Venue: Pohang Steelyard Stadium
Head-to-head
Played 4: Wins: Pohang 0, Adelaide 3, draws: 1
Previous encounter
Pohang 0, Adelaide 0, April 13, 2010
History:
Adelaide have enjoyed the better of this fixture over the years with the sides also meeting in the group stage in 2008 and 2010. After winning both clashes in the 2008 campaign on the way to the final, the Reds had similar success two years later, winning the first clash in Adelaide 1-0 before a hard-fought 0-0 draw in their most recent meeting when both side’s progressed to the knockout stages.
Form:
Past five matches:
Pohang: DDLWW
Adelaide: WDLWD
Pohang have had a mixed start to their season both domestically and in the ACL. While there was plenty of optimism after their shock 3-0 win away to Gamba Osaka on matchday one, the Steelers were brought back down to earth when beaten at home by Bunyodkor 2-0 in their most recent ACL clash. Their domestic form has been fairly solid, including a 1-0 win over Chunnam over the weekend.
Adelaide have enjoyed a good break since their last match which was a 1-1 draw with the Melbourne Heart in the final round of the A-League season, which brought to a close a forgettable campaign. But their ACL form has been brilliant with two wins from as many games to sit nicely at the top of the Group E table.
Match Committee: Nothing too major for either side on the injury front with the Reds’ only injury concern Spase Dilevski (groin).
Iain Fyfe is also in line for a spot in the squad after coming off the bench for the last half an hour in the 1-1 draw with Melbourne Heart in the final round of the A-League.
Danger men:
Derek Asamoah – The Ghanaian striker is a huge goal threat for the Steelers. Big, powerful and with a good turn of pace, Asamoah is a real handful for any defence.
Was a standout in the away win over Gamba and the Reds will need to keep him in check if they are to keep their winning run going. Romanian playmaker Ianis Zicu is also a key for the Koreans in the attacking midfield role.
Daniel Mullen – The young defender is not only a huge asset for the Reds at the back but is also starting to become a real weapon in attack. Mullen scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Gamba in their last ACL match, capitalising on a couple of set-piece opportunities. Pohang will need to keep him quiet at both ends of the field.
At the end of the day… Adelaide have been the surprise packets in this group so far with back-to-back wins and they won’t fear heading to Korea to face the Steelers.
The Reds have never lost to Pohang and without the distraction of the A-League anymore will be able to focus all their energies of keeping their winning run going in the competition.
Adelaide coach John Kosmina won’t be at the match as he’s in Canberra studying for the compulsory FIFA A-League coaching licence to get the required qualifications to coach in the ACL. The Reds will need to put his absence to one side if they are to prosper.
Pohang have bounced back strongly since their shock loss on matchday two, winning their last two K-League matches. They have basically all their main players fit and in form which makes the home side slight favourites in this one. But there’s something about Adelaide and the ACL and given their current form they should come away from the Steelyard with at least a point.
