Adelaide United

ADELAIDE – Adelaide United defender Alemão has been left out of the Reds’ squad for their AFC Champions League 2008 quarter-final clash with Kashima Antlers due to the tournament’s three ‘foreigner’ rule.

Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar had to drop one of his side’s four overseas players and the axe fell on the recent signing from Clube Atlético Juventus in favour of fellow Brazilians Cassio, Cristiano and Diego.

“It was a tough decision but we just thought that with Cassio and Diego, they’ve already been there and know what to expect, and Cristiano has got a fair bit of experience,” Vidmar told Adelaide United’s official website.

“We have also got cover if we have to on that side but it wasn’t an easy decision because I would have liked to have all of them in there.”

The Reds, who became the first Australian side to reach the last eight of the AFC Champions League, travel to Japan for the first leg on September 17 before hosting the return fixture at the Hindmarsh Stadium a week later.