Asian Champions League Semi-Final (1st leg)

Adelaide United v Bunyodkor


Adelaide United will hope to take their first step towards creating Australian domestic footballing history when they face off against Uzbek side Bunyodkor, in the first leg of the ACL semi-final.

Adelaide United v Bunyodkor

Summary: Adelaide United welcome Uzbeki side Bunyodkor and Brazilian great Rivaldo to Hindmarsh Stadium. The Uzbeks lead their domestic league with eight games remaining and remain undefeated (in all competitions) since their 1-0 reverse in the Asian Champions League to Al Ittihad Jeddah back on March 12th. In their last A-League encounter, Adelaide let a 3-0 lead slip after a penalty and two uncharacteristic errors by goalkeeper Eugine Galekovic, that gave Central Coast a share of the spoils in a 3-3 final scoreline. Adelaide's rear guard will need to bounce back here but they will have to make do without powerful centre-back Sash Organovski due to suspension.

Form:
Adelaide United
Oct 3, 2008 A-League Adelaide United 3 - 3 Central Coast Mariners
Sep 27, 2008 A-League Adelaide United 2 - 0 Newcastle Jets
Sep 24, 2008 AFC Champions League Adelaide United 1 - 0 Kashima Antlers
Sep 20, 2008 A-League Sydney FC 3 - 0 Adelaide United
Sep 17, 2008 AFC Champions League Kashima Antlers 1 - 1 Adelaide United

Bunyodkor
Oct 3, 2008 Oliy Liga Lokomotiv Tashkent 2 - 3 FC Bunyodkor
Sep 28, 2008 Oliy Liga FC Bunyodkor 2 - 0 Buxoro
Sep 24, 2008 AFC Champions League FC Bunyodkor 5 - 1 Saipa
Sep 17, 2008 AFC Champions League Saipa 2 - 2 FC Bunyodkor
Sep 13, 2008 Oliy Liga FC Bunyodkor 4 - 0 Nasaf Qarshi

Verdict: Adelaide's progression through to this stage of the competition is no thanks to their hard-working ethic and brilliant form of goalkeeper Galekovic. Last weekend, we saw chinks in the goalkeeper's armour for the first time in a while. With the absence of collosul figure Organovski and midfield cover Jonas Salley from the Adelaide unit, Galekovic is likely to be kept busy by main threats, Rivaldo and Villanueva. There is talk that veteran central defender, Michael Valkanis, will be Organovski's replacement which I think will be a disaster for the Adelaide side as he is slow and past his prime. Bunyodkor are a physical side in comparison to Adelaide's prior opponents in the ACL, so they may have finally met their match here.

Pick: Bunyodkor 0 Hcp (Level ball)
Adelaide United 3 - 0 Bunyodkor