Adelaide United in the Asian Champions League

[Lincoln Fletcher]

Oh hells yes.

Was there, long with 16,974 other people. Record crowd, to see Adelaide play what could probably be the best game I have seen them play in a very, very, VERY long time (coming from a mad United supporter).

The game was fantastic. Early chances were made, including an incredible opportunity in the latter stages of the 1st half, as Dodd was unfortunate to mistime his footwork and let an inattentive Kashima defence survive. However the match came down to Robbie Cornthwaite redeeming his own-goal in Japan last week.

73rd minute, the fiery little Brazillian, Cassio, managed to make a charge down the left wing, fires a cross and finds Cornthwaite unmarked - to which the big defender gets his head on the ball for a sweet strike straight past the dumbfounded Kashima goalie. The entire stadium erupts. Not ONE person was left standing - the sound was deafening.

The sheer joy from the capacity crowd was only diminished by jubilation of United's players - on the field as Robbie goes sliding to the courner and gets gang tackled, and off the field as Jonas Salley and Lucas Pantelis hugging and screaming from the corporate box behind me.

It seems like everyone in the stadium knew the importance of the game, and as Kashima was able to gain a few corners, you could see the threat of despair on the face of every Red-shirted supporter. And as the referee blew the final whistle, shouts and cries rung around the stadium, as fans hugged fans they didn't know, coaches hugged players and the sea of red became one heaving mass of emotion.

Once again Cornthwaite was tackled by the rest of the team. Shirts were swapped with the dignified Kashima team. Continued chants of "U-NI-TED" led to the excited chatter of what's to be expected in the Semi Finals.

It was a fantastic game. Tickets go on sale today from Venuetixx, for the first leg of the Semi Final on the 8th October.

Game is against KURUVCHI/BUNYODKOR from Uzbekistan, who qualified through an aggregate of 7:3. They won their last leg 5-1 at home, so the challenge is on, and will no doubt be a thrilling game to be a part of.

I strongly suggest anyone whos interested to come be a Red.

[Scotty]

Nice write-up, Lincoln.

I can't stand soccer, but nice write-up.

[rcon]

Nice write-up, Lincoln.

I can't stand soccer, but nice write-up.

Concur - nice write up.

I am (almost) inspired to go get myself a ticket for the semis - I've always wanted to see an a-league match, but this might be a better option?

[Bacon]

Got my ticket!

Better to be at Howmuch Stadium, than Kentish Arms with 18 runners and not making the points. But I guess champions like Steve & I were targetted!)

[Origami]

Got my ticket!

Better to be at Howmuch Stadium, than Kentish Arms with 18 runners and not making the points. .---But I guess champions like Steve & I were targetted...LOL,,,. Beaten by fellow Potophobiaers..?
?!)

[Bacon]

Got my ticket!

Better to be at Howmuch Stadium, than Kentish Arms with 18 runners and not making the points. .---But I guess champions like Steve & I were targetted

...LOL,,,. Beaten by fellow Potophobiaers..?
?!)

Yes actually. I should've been sufficiently scared by the turn that I should've raised on it so there was no river. He thought he only had an 8 outer (it was a 14-outer in fact) I was only raising on the flop with bottom pair, but the over cards should've meant a fold

[BigPete33]

Nights like that completely justify the move to the Asian zone.

The A-league on it's own is progressing well enough but the added interest/excitement/atmosphere international club cup competitions bring is just so worth it.

Just having made the 1/4 finals will have put Adelaide United in the spotlight in Asia but having now made the Semi's there'll be all sorts of interest from other clubs and sponsors.

That can only be good for the A-league and for Australian football.

[BigPete33]

Just got my ticket.. am there with bells on!

GENERAL ADMISSION

Section Row Seat Price
GA xxxx $25.00

Total Convenience Fee for 1 seat $3.30
Price for 1 seat $28.30
----------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal : $28.30
Transaction Fee : $2.20
Total : $30.50


Gotta love the 'convenience fee'.

[Chelsea4thewin]

Pete i might be coming to this so you might have someone to sit with haha, i start my new job that week so i wont know if i can make it until closer to the date

[BigPete33]

Are you the new host of "I'm on Setanta Sports" ?

Mafau is coming along, didn't take much convincing either