Japanese club Gamba Osaka have won the Asian Champions League after beating Adelaide United 2-0 on Wednesday to take the two-leg final 5-0 on aggregate.
After Gamba won the first leg in Osaka 3-0, the Australian side’s loss at Hindmarsh Stadium added add to their 3-0 defeat in the first leg last week in Japan.
The Australian side’s hopes were effectively over after Brazilian striker Lucas scored twice within the opening 15 minutes.
The home side pressed hard throughout but were unable to break down a resolute Gamba defence.
It is Gamba’s first Asian club championship victory and gives Japanese clubs back-to-back wins following Urawa Red Diamonds’ 2007 ACL triumph.
Despite the defeat, Adelaide – the first Australian club to reach the Asian club championship final – qualified for the Club World Cup next month because hosts Japan were guaranteed a team in the competition.
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