Football
2017 AFC Champions League, Group Stage
ADE 
0
FT
 SUN
1
AAP 7y

Adelaide United out of ACL after Jiangsu Suning defeat

Adelaide United were knocked out of the AFC Champions League with a 1-0 home loss to China's Jiangsu Suning on Tuesday night.

The Reds needed to win and also for Jeju United not to gain any points from a simultaneous fixture.

But coupled with their defeat, South Korea's Jeju downed Gamba Osaka 2-0 to advance to the Round of 16.

The 2016 A-League champions finished third in the group, some five points shy of Jeju, after an Asian campaign which returned one win, three draws and three losses.

Before 6,797 spectators at Coopers Stadium, the Reds bossed a second-string Jiangsu. The visitors left stars like Ramires and Alex Teixeira at home, having already sewn up top spot in the group.

But a wayward Adelaide couldn't land a punch despite basking in 71 percent possession and recording 20 shots to six, including nine to one in the opening half.

The Reds fluffed a succession of chances. Riley McGree, Nikola Mileusnic, Sergio Cirio, Baba Diawara and Kim Jae-sung all sprayed shots wide, while Diawara also hit the post with a header.

McGree also had an early gilt-edged chance denied when, just five metres from goal. But on his non-preferred right foot, his shot was superbly saved by Jiansgu goalkeeper Jiang Hao.

The visitors relied exclusively on counter attacks.

And, on 81 minutes, they made Adelaide pay for their lack of finishing polish -- a common theme in the Reds' lousy domestic campaign as well -- when Ji Xiang scored with a sweet left-footer from 15 metres out.

Adelaide's focus now turns to signings. They have 16 players about to fall off contract and a coach, Guillermo Amor, who is weighing up his future.

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