Win will secure home tie for Reds
Adeliade United Getty Images
by RichardHarvey
Richard Harvey Sports Journalist
YOU can be sure Adelaide United won't be shooting blanks when it tackles Gamba Osaka in Japan tonight.
The Reds already have a place in the do-or-die round of 16 in the Asian Champions League later this month - they want to play that game at home, and a win tonight will ensure that happens.
They also know there is also a chance they could still finish top even if they do not beat Gamba as the make up of the final standings will also depend on the outcome of the other Group E match between Bunyodkor and the Pohang Steelers.
If Pohang win, the Reds must do the same against Gamba to wrap up top spot. However, a draw or a Bunyodkor victory would see Adelaide only needing a point at best.
Defender Iain Fyfe said the Reds will not be leaving anything to chance by relying on what happens elsewhere.
"When teams are playing at the same time, in situations like this you can only concentrate on your game and the opponent you're playing against," Fyfe said.
Gamba Osaka is already out of contention of progressing further but Fyfe said that counted for nothing.
"If we go in with the attitude that they (Gamba) are going to take it easy because they can't qualify then we've already lost," Fyfe warned.
"There is no way they're going to be like that."
A-League champions, Brisbane Roar, will also be in action tonight when they play Beijing Guoan in a a dead rubber at Suncorp Stadium.
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