Aus2018.com

Adelaide United has a difficult challenge ahead if it is to win the AFC Champion's League Final after its 3:0 loss to Gamba Osaka in the first leg last night.

The two will meet again at Adelaide's Hindmarsh Stadium on November 12 for the second leg.

Regardless of the result, Adelaide has qualified for the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup.

In a first for an Australian football club,  Adelaide United has qualified for the final of the AFC Champion's League.

Whilst United lost the second leg of their semi final, their emphatic 3:0 win in the first leg has resulted in a 3:1 aggregate victory over Bunyodokor Kuruchi from Uzbekistan.

Football Federation Australia CEO, Ben Buckly was thrilled with the result. "I know that everyone in the Australian football community, and every Australian sporting fan, joins me in congratulating Adelaide on the result this morning,"

"Adelaide United is leading the way in the Hyundai A-League and all of us are delighted with Aurelio Vidmar, his players and all the people behind the scenes at the club."

United will meet Japanese powerhouse Gamba Osaka over two legs on November 5 (Osaka) and November 12 (Adelaide) with the winner o be declared the champion club of Asia.

Adelaide's semi final win also guarantees it a place in the 2008 FIFA World Club Cup in Japan as Gamba Osaka earns a place as the host nation's best club. 

Football Federation Australia has announced the locations for Australia's upcoming AFC Round 4  2010 World Cup qualifiers. 

The top two place getters from each Group are guaranteed a place in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals in South Africa with the third place getter playing off against the third placed team in Group B. The winner of the playoff series will then play the winner of the Oceania Football Confederation qualifying series for another spot in South Africa.

The Socceroos next match will be against Qatar this Wednesday night in Brisbane. Qatar currently sit on top of Group A with 4 points having played one more game than Australia and Japan who sit one point behind in second and third respectively.

The following two home games will be played in Sydney with the final blockbuster between the two Group A favourites, Japan and Australia, being played in Melbourne.

FFA have also announced that any sudden death playoffs (should Australia participate) will be played in Sydney.

Australia's remaining Round 4 AFC Qualifiers:

-            15 October 2008, Australia v Qatar, Brisbane

-            19 November 2008, Bahrain v Australia, Bahrain

-            11 February 2009, Japan v Australia, Tokyo

-            1 April 2009, Australia v Uzbekistan, Sydney

-            6 June 2009, Qatar v Australia, Doha

-            10 June 2009, Australia v Bahrain, Sydney

-            17 June 2009, Australia v Japan, Melbourne

Adelaide United have continued on their record breaking way by qualifying for the AFC Champion's League semi finals in front of a capacity crowd at Hindmarsh Stadium last night.

United's win over Kashima Antlers of Japan is a red letter day for football in Australia according to Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO, Ben Buckley.

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has described his side's away win against Uzbekistan as "Fantastic". 

"The whole team put in a great performance and it's a great start to win in Uzbekistan".

The match in Tashkent was Australia's first of the AFC Round 4 FIFA World Cup qualifying round following a bye on the first match day.

With another 7 matches to go, Australia is now in a healthy position to earn one of the four direct qualification spots for South Africa 2010. The top two nations from each group of five will automatically qualify with the two third place getters playing off to challenge the Oceania winner for one last place.

The Socceroos next match will be against Qatar in Brisbane on 15 October.