ADELAIDE UNITED v SHANDONG LUNENG: ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAY OFF

Adelaide United have been in impressive form in the A-League of late, with 7 wins from their last 10 outings (+ 3 draws). Manager Guillermo Amor had to fend off some flak early in the season when the Reds limped to 3 draws from 8 games. But things have changed.

The criticism for straying from predecessor Josep Gombau’s easy on the eye, tiki taka style has now been silenced. In all truth, Amor’s Adelaide is only a slight departure, with players less likely to be stubbornly attempting to pass out of impossible situations.

In the January transfer window Adelaide lost passing midfielder Jimmy Jeggo and Osama Malik, but gained Stefan Mauk. The 20 year old midfielder is one of those rare Australians that looks comfortable on the ball and is reportedly being courted by clubs in Holland, Belgium and Germany. Adding to the ins, is the acquisition of former fan favourite Sergio van Dijk. The experienced striker is back from stints in Indonesia and Thailand. 

Poignantly Adelaide manager Amor emphasised the importance of the match for the locals in yesterday's press conference. "It's a big day for us, for Adelaide, the club and our supporters, and for Australian football in general," he said.

On the other hand, Shandong Luneng form part of the brave new world of Chinese soccer. Led by former Brazilian national team manager Mano Menezes, the east coast club were 6-0 victors last week in their first Asian Champions League play-off against Indians Mohun Bagan. 

As is standard with Chinese Super League clubs, Shandong have a bevy of foreigners at their disposal. Most well known would be Argentine international Walter Montillo in midfield. Amongst their Brazilian contingent is 27 year old Aloisio. The former Sao Paulo player picked up 22 goals as Shandong nudged Beijing Guoan out of 3rd place in last year’s CSL. 

Another one to watch in the orange team is Chinese national team midfielder Hao, Junmin. The 28 year old received a football education in Germany at Schalke 04 between 2009 and 2012, and he made an impression in the 2015 Asian Cup with his precision passing.

For neutrals this is probably the pick of the play-off matches in the east side of the Asian Champions League. Look out for Marcelo Carrusca, Adelaide’s midfield maestro whom a close friend of mine says is, “too good for the A-League.” Powerful Bruce Djite will be a thorn in the sides of Shandong's less physically imposing defenders. Throw in fleet-footed fullback Tarek Elrich and the home side should just have enough to join Hiroshima, FC Seoul and Buriram in Group F of the Asian Champions League. 

Betting: Adelaide United $2.60 Draw $3.40 Shandong Luneng $2.60

ROVERS CRASH OUT IN ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFIER

Singapore's Tampines Rovers have crashed out of the Asian Champions League. The 'Mighty Stags' were defeated 3-1 in India by Kolkata (Calcutta) outfit Mohun Bagan.

After spending up big through January, the Singapore club captured former EPL winger Jermaine Pennant and Canadian Jordan Webb. Unfortunately for them Pennant was unavailable for the Asian Champions League qualifier due to AFC squad nomination constraints.

Mohun Bagan got away to a great start with a 5th minute goal to 25 year old forward Jeje Lalpekhlua.      Import Cornell Glen of Trinidad & Tobago extended the hosts' lead in the 41st minute with an assist from Sony Norde. Earlier Glen had been hospitable enough to aim a penalty straight at the visiting Stags goalkeeper. This time he wasn't so kind.

All hope wasn't lost for the Singapore club though as they rallied with a late first half goal of their own (Hanapi, 43rd min). They remained in the contest until an 83rd minute goal from Japanese import Katsumi Yusa ensured victory for the Indians.

Mohun Bagan now head to China to face Shandong Luneng on February 2nd. On the same day a number of other Asian Champions League qualifiers take place on the east side of the draw. Thai clubs Chonburi and Muangthong United are in action as well Vietnamese champions Hanoi T&T. The full fixture list can be found below.

Shandong Luneng (CHN) v Mohun Bagan (IND)

Hanoi T&T (VIE) v Kitchee (HK)

Chonburi FC (THA) v Yangon United (MYA)

Muangthong United (THA) v Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS)

J-LEAGUE VS CHINESE SUPER LEAGUE IN THE ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

This week in the Asian Champions League it's Japan versus China. On Tuesday April 7th, it's Kashima Antlers vs Guangzhou Evergrande. On Wednesday April 8th, it's Urawa Reds vs Beijing Guoan and Shandong Luneng vs Kashiwa Reysol. Never has the Chinese Super League had a better opportunity to stamp it's authority over their rival than this, and particularly in the fixtures based in Japan.

First, China's inimitable Guangzhou Evergrande line up against Kashima Antlers, just two weeks after the J-League club went close to ambushing them in Canton. Kashima overturned Ricardo Goulart's classy 10th minute header when youngster Shoma Doi made it 2-1. Of course the Chinese club equalised and went ahead when new acquisition Goulart struck again. The Brazilian dashed from the centre circle after a clumsy Kashima turnover and headed straight for the box, barely veering from his path before unleashing. At 3-2 Kashima had claims for a penalty turned down in the 83rd minute (watch video and decide for yourself), but there were still more goals.

Finishing 4-3, Guangzhou Evergrande were lucky to escape in a fixture that painted a brighter picture for the struggling J-League. Kashima put on a bold show, unlike that of many a J-League side before them (in recent years). With their knockout stage hopes on death row, a desperate Antlers will surely provide another daring display on Tuesday night, worthy of the 'Champions League' tag.

Twenty four hours after Kashima fights for their Asian Champions League survival, Urawa Reds face up to a confident Beijing Guoan. The team in green from the Chinese capital are unbeaten in their last 18 matches. If you scan back to August 13th, 2014 you'll eye Beijing Guoan's loss to Guangzhou R&F. Most recently they put on a second half schooling of Tim Cahill's Shanghai Shenhua.

Urawa themselves are undefeated in four domestic outings, but the continental competition has proven a bridge too far. The J-League's leading club has been beaten in all three ACL outings. Though dispatched 2-0 by Beijing at the Worker's Stadium two weeks ago, the Japanese club had their share of opportunities. Also worth noting is that it was a goalkeeping blunder from Nishikawa in the 78th minute that allowed Beijing Guoan to go ahead.

Shandong will host the surprising Kashiwa Reysol, who have defied the trend of J-League clubs failing on the ACL stage - remaining undefeated after three matches. The Sun Kings looked a level above Shandong two weeks ago, but the Chinese club will be at home and they'll be desperate.

However, East Asia's focus will be on the clash of the heavyweights. Kashima, the J-League's most successful club faces the ignominy of being booted out of the Asian Champions League while on zero and by none other than Guangzhou Evergrande, the symbol of China's rising soccer status. Meanwhile, it will be no less shameful for Urawa. Skulking alone at the bottom of Group G with zero points, the club whose fans are undoubtedly the best in the J-League, faces the likelihood of being swept aside by the resurgent Beijing Guoan.

In Tuesday's match at Kashima the home team has the flying Mu Kanazaki (if he's recovered from a boot to the face on last Friday) lining up against ACL top goalscorer Ricardo Goulart and Elkeson. While on Wednesday at Saitama the home team will have their work cut out for them containing big Dejan Damjanovic and Chinese products Song, Boxuan and Chen, Zhizhao. Enjoy!

KASHIWA VICTORIOUS IN ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP TIE

Kashiwa Reysol have wiped the floor with Vietnamese opponents Binh Duong in the second group match of the 2015 Asian Champions League. National team hopeful Masato Kudo contributed for the home team with a brace, while Aussie import Vrankovic provided an own goal to add to the embarrassment for Binh Duong.

In the first half, Reysol barely saw a clear cut chance until they struck the go ahead goal in the 43rd minute. Kudo found himself with time and space in the box as Christiano beat a couple of defenders before crossing a low ball in from the right.

After a strong showing until that point, Kudo's goal triggered an avalanche. In first half injury time Aussie expat David Vrankovic headed the ball into the wrong net. The defender had previously fallen foul to two high boots from the Kashiwa strike force. Tracking back into his own box while being shadowed, Vrankovic's miscued header will feature in his next pre match nightmare no doubt.

South Korean Kim, Chang Soo got scoring underway in the second half with the aid of a sublime through ball from midfielder Akimi Barada. The Bing Duong goalkeeper had no chance, as Kim's first touch - under pressure - opened up the goal and the former Busan defender finished with aplomb.

Kudo popped up for his second in the 67th minute when a corner was allowed to cross the face of goal. The forward was alone again, and he made the visitors hurt. At 4-nil the Binh Duong manager decided to hook Nigerian goalkeeper Esele. But things didn't get any better.

After some stock standard J-League lead up play, the ball was turned back to Otani from the left. The midfielder struck with a half volley from beyond the box to make it 5-0.

The visitors picked up a consolation goal to make it 5-1 at full time, but their chances of ACL knockout stage qualification have taken a massive blow. Meanwhile, Reysol the best performing of the Japanese sides will host Shandong Luneng in two weeks time.

Kashiwa currently lead Group E on for and against, as first round opponents Jeonbuk also posted a victory on Matchday 2. With J-League credibility continuing to be questioned, ACL results are of vital importance to provide tangible evidence for the competition's exalted status. After 2014 treble winners Gamba Osaka were downed 2-0 by Seongnam it's now up to Urawa (v Brisbane Roar) and Kashima (v FC Seoul) to restore some pride for the J-League on Wednesday night.