Thoughts of all J-League final in the AFC Champions League disappeared as A-League's Adelaide United defeated Kashima Antlers 1-0 at Hindmarsh Stadium. However J-League fans can celebrate as both Urawa Red Diamonds and Gamba Osaka advanced with resounding victories.
Urawa Red Diamonds defeated Al Qadisiya 2-0, led by goals from Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Takahito Soma in a match that was never in-doubt.
It was a much different match for Gamba as although they dominated possession they could not break through Al Karama defense until Masato Yamazaki, who had come in twenty minutes earlier for Ryūji Bando, netted the first goal. With Al Karama throwing attackers forward, Roni added the second goal to give Osaka Gamba the 2-0 victory.
The Antlers painful offensive draught continued and needing to overtake Adelaide after a 1-1 draw they were held scoreless in a well defended match. With seventeen minutes left in the match Robert Cornthwaite headed a Cássio cross in to give the home 'Roo club the lead. With ten minutes left in the match Japanese capped' Yuzo Tashiro was brought in as a third striker but it was far too late of an effort and in-the-end manager Oswaldo de Oliveira's approach was too conservative.
The semi-finals that will pit Urawa Red Diamonds against Osaka Gamba will commence on October 8 with the second match on the 22nd.
