Adelaide United begin their 2017 AFC Champions League Group H clash against a familiar opponent in Gamba Osaka at Hindmarsh on Wednesday.
Gamba have been one of the most successful clubs in Japan in recent years, lifting the J1 League in 2005 and 2014 among other honours.
Wednesday’s night match will not be the first time the Reds and Gamba have encountered in Asia’s premier club competition.
The two sides first met in the 2008 Asian Champions League Final, with the Japanese outfit proving too strong to record a 5-0 aggregate triumph. United suffered a 3-0 loss to Gamba in the first leg, and succumbed to a 2-0 defeat in the return fixture in front of a capacity crowd at Hindmarsh Stadium.
A month later, Gamba would again claim bragging rights with a narrow 1-0 win over the Reds at the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup.
However, Adelaide have enjoyed the upper-hand in their previous two meetings.
In the 2012 edition of the tournament, the South Australians avenged their past defeats in the group stage.
The Reds produced a 2-0 home victory over Gamba on matchday two, courtesy of an own goal and a Daniel Mullen finish.
That same scoreline would be repeated in the final group game. Sergio van Dijk opened the scoring, before an own goal ensured Adelaide would top the standings, while Gamba was consigned to the bottom of the table.
Adelaide United will host Gamba Osaka in its first AFC Champions League 2017 group stage match on Wednesday, 22 February at Hindmarsh Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.30pm ACDT.
