Football
2017 AFC Champions League, Group Stage
GAM 
3
FT
 ADE
3
AAP 7y

Adelaide come back from two goals down to draw with Gamba in ACL

Adelaide United twice came from behind against Gamba Osaka to record a stunning AFC Champions League draw at the Suita City World Cup Stadium in Japan on Tuesday night.

Baba Diawara headed home the equaliser two minutes into stoppage time to make it 3-3 and take the Reds to five point in Group H, still with a chance of advancing to the knockout stages.

The Reds endured a horror start in Japan when towering striker Shun Nagasawa outjumped goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic to meet Yasuhito Endo's near post corner and power a header into the net on six minutes.

Gamba doubled the advantage six minutes later after a stunning goal from young striker Ritsu Doan.

The 18-year-old collected the ball 20 metres from goal on a slight angle and shaped to cross. But with Galekovic committed to a ball aimed at the penalty spot, Doan let fly with a strike that embarrassed the Reds captain keeper at his near post.

Adelaide pulled a goal back when Diawara took full advantage of a slip in defence from Kim Jung-Ya to dribble into the penalty area and tee up Sergio Cirio. The Spaniard's first-time effort from 12 metres nestled into the bottom corner of the net.

Diawara was again involved as Adelaide levelled the score at 2-2 on 54 minutes.

The Senegalese striker provided his second assist when he laid off for Jordan O'Doherty who picked out the top corner with a first-time bullet from 25 yards -- the ball still rising at is ripped into the net.

More drama ensued in the 57th minute when Ben Garuccio pulled back Oh Jae-Suk in the penalty area.

Incredibly, 37-year-old Gamba captain Endo wasted the spot kick when he sent his penalty high and wide of the goal as Galekovic dived the other way.

Gamba did regain the lead with a quick counter, despite Adelaid motioning for the ball to be kicked out so Diawara could receive treatment.

Jae-Suk tore down the right flank, skipping past Garuccio his cross took a final touch off Reds defender Michael Marrone, and rolled agonisingly under the body of Galekovic.

With added time ticking away, there was to be one final twist with Diawara getting a well-deserved goal.

The Reds' forward rose highest from a Garuccio free kick to loop a header into the back of the net to grab a share of the points.

In the other game in Group H, Jeju United moved above Adelaide into second place after an upset 2-1 win away to the already-qualified Jiangsu Suning in China.

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