The Antlers are the reigning J-League champions who won five out of six games in the group stage while establishing a plus-25 goal difference against clubs from China, Thailand and Vietnam.

But Reds coach Aurelio Vidmar is not pessimistic about his side's chances.

"They will be pretty much similar to what we've experienced with the Chinese and the Koreans,'' said Vidmar. "They will be strong, quick and powerful.

"At this point I don't know too much about the players they have in their squad, but over the coming months we'll be doing as much homework as possible on them.''

Adelaide will face the Antlers in home and away matches on September 17 in Kashima then a week later in Adelaide.

Vidmar was relieved that his side drew a destination as close in distance and time zone as Japan, considering teams from Iran, Kuwait and Uzbekistan were also in the quarterfinals.

"It doesn't really matter who you draw because all the other seven teams are extremely strong,'' said Vidmar."Logistically it is going to be nice and easy for us because we should be able to get a direct flight from Melbourne or Sydney straight to Tokyo.''