Adelaide United failed to qualify for the AFC Champions League after a 2-1 loss to Chinese giants Shandong Luneng at Hindmarsh Stadium on Tuesday night.
The might of Shandong Luneng proved too much as the quality tangibly shone through for all to witness. Did anyone genuinely expect different? Sure, Adelaide are midway through their season and in sparkling form domestically, but Shandong’s combination play was simply instinctive and a sight to behold. The likes of Walter Montillo, Diego Tardelli, Wang Yangpo and Yang Xu knew each other’s movements like the back of their hand.
Guillermo Amor made four changes to the line-up that drew to Sydney FC on Friday, reinstating regulars Marcelo Carrusca, Bruce Djite and Craig Goodwin, while Jordan Elsey replaced Iacopo La Rocca, who was not selected as one of the three permitted foreigners.
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And the decision initially paid dividends with the Reds controlling the opening 10 minutes and keeping possession of the ball in their opponent’s half. But Dylan McGowan’s inability to make proper contact with his shot from a corner, which was cleared off the line from a corner, was the moment Amor’s men should have taken the lead.
That squandered opportunity was the telling theme of the night for the Reds, who missed a plethora of chances to draw level, particularly towards the end of second stanza.
And they were subsequently punished when Carrusca was easily dispossessed in midfield by his compatriot Montillo. The Argentine international completed his marauding run by firing a shot at Eugene Galekovic only to parry it into the path of Yang Xu to head home. Shandong’s opener demonstrated how first-rate sides capitalise on their opponent’s mistakes and incompetence in front of goal. A prevalent notion that failing to convert chances usually results in the opposition taking full advantage.
The gulf in class became patent once more, this time six minutes before the interval when Tardelli expertly finished a sublime passing move. Montillo was again involved, weighting a perfect pass to Yongpo whose incisive cross was met by the glancing head of Tardelli. After the second goal went in it was always going to be a mountain to climb for Adelaide and to their credit they fought back frantically. They were facilitated by the sending off to the ill-disciplined Yongpo on 70 minutes and exerted their dominance over a weary Shandong team – short on match fitness.
However, the constant stoppages due to Shandong’s apparent play acting and time wasting tactics disrupted Adelaide’s rhythm and momentum at times. Twice the referee unnecessarily called for the stretcher which incensed the boisterous home fans even more and brought a halt to proceedings longer than required.
But Adelaide toiled and, Carrusca who by his own admission was not at his usual best, missed a penalty eight minutes from time after it rattled the frame of the crossbar. Returning Red Sergio van Dijk also had a headed chance which flashed wide of the post as did Goodwin whose looping header was well off target.
Sergio Cirio gave the Reds a glimmer of hope a minute before injury time, but he swiftly turned villain – opting to head the ball rather than use his foot when a golden chance fell his way.
Ultimately football is a game of fine margins and in spite of Adelaide being the fitter outfit, it was less effective in attack with Shandong too shrewd when it mattered most. From their perspective, all that was of concern was to do enough to win. That was the most crucial aspect for the ex-Selecao boss Mano Menezes, given his side are in preseason and the dramatic discrepancy in weather conditions would have also been a huge factor for the Jinan club to immediately acclimatise.
For the amount of expenditure bankrolled into the club, it would have been disastrous for the Chinese powerhouse’s owners. With China emerging as a potential super power in world football – able to acquire players well in their prime – it certainly poses a threat to the success of Australian teams in the ACL. A-League squads merely cannot compete with the likes of China when it decides to flex its financial muscle.
While Adelaide will be extremely disappointed it did not reach the group stage, especially from a financial viewpoint, perhaps it comes as a blessing in disguise. Adelaide can now solely focus on the A-League and with Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC both having to manage two competitions it could have a detrimental influence on their title aspirations. The hectic schedule coupled with excessively demanding travel hours and more chance of player injury means it could be United’s gain to climb up the league table.
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