AFC Champions League quarters finely poised

TOKYO (AFP) - Optimism is running high going into the AFC Champions League quarter-final second legs on Wednesday, with all four ties finely poised.

Japan’s Gamba Osaka are best placed to make the semis of Asia’s premier club competition after a hard-fought 2-1 away win against tough Syrian side Al Karama last week.

They came from behind, with goals from Satoshi Yamaguchi and Masato Yamazaki in the last 20 minutes earning them a crucial victory.

Gamba coach Akira Nishino wants to see the same determination from his team in the second leg.

“The first leg has finished and we now know a lot about Al Karama and their weaknesses and strengths. We will study them more in order to win in Osaka,” he said. “Al Karama are definitely not a weak side. But we will take plenty of motivation from our display as we try to win the next match.”

Adelaide United coach Aurelio Vidmar has warned his charges against complacency following their 1-1 away result against Japan’s Kashima Antlers.