Adelaide United and Pohang Steelers have both progressed to the Round of 16 in the Asian Champions League following a scoreless draw in Korea.
Pohang were the better side on the night and clearly dominated the attacking aspect of the game but Adelaide were able to hold out and get the point they needed to remain on top of Group H with the Steelers equal on 10 points.
Pohang Steelers: 0 Adelaide United: 0 Venue: Pohang Steelyard, Korea
The home side began brightly and had the better of the chances in the opening 15 minutes, falling to Brazilian striker Mota but he rushed his shot and Adelaide keeper Eugene Galekovic saved with ease.
The visitors began to feel comfortable after an initial poor start and got themselves right back into the contest by controlling the ball for longer periods but it didn't stop Pohang from enjoying more of the attacking play with the only dangerous shots on goal in the first part of the opening 45 minutes.
Just after the half-hour mark, the Steelers were close to a spot-kick when Mota advanced into the penalty area and was taken down by Galekovic but on second viewing, it appeared that the player dived although he was not given a card by the referee much to the chagrin of the Reds.
Pohang continued to push forward and were coming agonisingly close to an opener but Adelaide managed to hold and go into the main break all square.
Early in the second half, Adelaide were getting a bit more time on the ball but were turning it over as Pohang remained intent on sending plenty of balls into the penalty area but they were lacking efficiency in the final third.
The Steelers were threatening just after the hour-mark but their finishing was giving coach Waldemar Lemos a few headaches. They were dominating the shots on target stats but rarely worried Galekovic who was not required to make any vital saves until the 68th minute when the Reds defence was cut open but somehow the A-League Goalkeeper of the Year managed to keep out Pohang's advances.
With just over ten minutes remaining, Pohang were denied by the post when Shin Hyung-Min got on the end of a short corner and unleashed from outside the area but the deflected shot smashed into the woodwork and bounced back out to safety, keep Adelaide in the match.
As time ran out, the Reds were happy with the scoreline and seemed content just to play the 90 minutes out as Pohang remained undefeated at home in the ACL in 11 games since the Reds beat them in March 2008.
