The Brazilian struck just as frustrations were really starting to mount against a resilient Pohang side that certainly made a mockery of accusations that it would be a weakened 'B' outfit.

It was a bitter-sweet occasion for the goalscorer though as the booking he picked up rules him out of the group decider against Yatai in China.

Neither side created too many clear cut chances but Diego kept his head when it mattered to crash a right-foot strike past the visiting keeper - the perfect result for Richie Alagich to say goodbye to Hindmarsh.

ADELAIDE 1 STEELERS 0

FULL-TIME: Adelaide United 1 Pohang Steelers 0. Diego's goal proves enough for Aurelio Vidmar's men to remain top of the group.

94 That's it. The whistle goes and Adelaide have earned three crucial points.

91 Barbiero comes off to make way for Jason Spagnuolo.

90 We're into stoppage time. There will be three additional minutes.

89 Great surging run down the right by Giraldi and earns a corner for the home side.

88 Terrific turn by Burns down the left but his control on the byline lets him down and he concedes a goalkick.

87 Giraldi pushed in the back by Won on the left touchline on halfway.

86 Ognenovski stretches to head clear a cross from the left with two Pohang players lurking.

85 Pantelis cross from the left finds Dodd in the area but his shot is blocked.

84 Sarkies makes way for Dez Giraldi.

82 Galekovic misjudges a free-kick and is rescued by Alagich who heads out for a corner. Nervy moments for United.

81 Vital block from Cornthwaite at the expense of a Pohang corner down the left. The ball is cleared. Burns then penalised for a trip.

80 Diego booked for a trip and his second yellow of the tournament means he will miss the final group game in China.

79 Pantelis cross blocked.

78 Throw out from the Pohang keeper goes out on the halfway line for an Adelaide throw.

77 Barbiero looks to be obstructed as he chases a ball from the right channel but the referee points for a goal-kick.

76 Burns accelerates to reach the right byline but his low cross is cut out at the near post on the edge of the six yard box.

75 United win a corner down the right as the visitors prepare to make their third and final change.

74 Ognenovski lets fly and his shot swerves out for a throw-in on the right flank!

72 Barbiero booked for a clumsy challenge. Long range free-kick thuds off the wall.

71 Important clearance inside the area by Salley.

69 Burns almost escapes clear down the left flank but can't quite shake off his man.

68 Another change for Pohang as Fabiano trudges off.

67 Pantelis lofts a free-kick into the area from the right channel towards Ognenovski but the visitors manage to head clear.

66 Sarkies tries to thread the ball through to Burns but the young striker can't quite get on the end of it.

65 A poor challenge by Cornthwaite on the left touchline. He is very, very lucky to escape a second yellow card and an early shower.

63 GOAL. 1-0. Just when Adelaide needed some inspiration it's Diego who provides it. Switches the ball from his left foot to the right on the edge of the box and crashes a shot past the Pohang keeper into the left corner of the net. Suddenly Hindmarsh bursts into life.

61 Adelaide surrender possession again after another poor ball punted forward from the back. The home side need a bit of magic from someone. The visitors could yet sneak this.

59 Poor Pohang strike from 10 metres flies well wide of the right post.

58 An injury to Pohang doesn't go down well with the Adelaide fans. Boos and jeers ringing out. The stretcher is not needed!

56 Dodd loses possession but uses his pace to win the ball back and atone for his error. Adelaide have made some positional switches with Dodd moving out to the right and Sarkies pushing forward to help Burns.

55 Barbiero penalised for handball on the left just inside the Pohang half.

54 The ball is whipped off Pantelis' toes as he is about to let fly from a central position 20 metres out.

53 Burns gets into the area from the left byline but can't get past the first man Won.

52 Sung effort deflects off Salley and wide of the left post for another corner.

51 Pantelis free-kick breaks down and as Pohang break down the left Alagich forced to concede a corner.

49 United throw down the left. Ognenovski lobs an aimless ball forward which is easily gathered by the visiting keeper. The game is desperately in need of a spark.

47 Ognenovski heads clear from the corner but a swerving long distance strike sees Galekovic parry and then grab the ball.

47 Cornthwaite forced to concede a corner down the right.

46 Fabiano tries to wriggle clear but Cornthwaite thumps the ball into touch.

46 We're underway again. Can Adelaide find the goal they need?

HALF-TIME: It's 0-0 at the break and not too much for the Adelaide fans to really get excited about. The home side made a bright start but all too often moves have broken down in the final third. Pohang have grown in confidence and worked hard to put United off their stride in the centre of the park.

45 There will be two minutes of added time.

44 Burns cross from the left deflects off a Pohang defender and out for a corner. The set piece finds Salley at the far post but he can only direct his header wide of the right post.

43 Sarkies does well to hold off two challenges and feed a colleague.

42 Dodd puts a ball through towards Sarkies but the Olyroo can't muscle his way through for a strike on goal.

40 Dodd wins a throw by the left corner flag. Ball played out to Burns who sees his shot well blocked on the edge of the box.

39 Pantelis can't connect with a ball from Diego as the frustration continues to grow.

38 Pohang look to be gaining in confidence by the minute. Another raid down the right flank and Ognenovski forced to head clear at the near post.

36 Pohang work the set piece from the left to the edge of the area but the resulting shot flies over the top. Adelaide have lost their way somewhat.

35 Diego tracks back from midfield at the expense of a corner.

34 Fabiano shot thuds off his own player and drifts out for a goalkick to Adelaide.

33 Dodd effort from 20 metres flies wide of the left post.

32 Pantelis wins a throw on the left as Pohang make their first change. Jongbum replaced by HanBum.

31 Keeper Young gets down to his right to hold on to a Diego strike.

30 Burns touches on an Alagich cross but Diego not in a position to pounce inside the box.

29 Some nice one-touch stuff from Pohang comes to nothing with a miscontrol out on the right flank. Cornthwaite then blocks long range effort.

27 All getting a shade frustrating for Adelaide. Pohang deliver another cross from the right which is gathered at his near post by Galekovich.

26 Alagich hacks clear a cross from the right into the United area.

25 Ognenovski tries to pick out Alagich down the right but the full-back is penalised for fouling his man as he rises to meet the pass.

24 Dodd is clattered, Adelaide push forward from the free-kick but can't keep the ball in down the left channel.

23 Cornthwaite picks up the first yellow card of the night for a clumsy challenge on Jae.

22 Jae gets the better of Alagich down the left flank and the cross is cleared at the near post. A rare nervy moment for the home side.

21 Yong is okay to continue and hauls himself back up to launch a goalkick forward.

20 Diego cross-shot from the right whistles across the face of the goal. The Pohang keeper collides with Burns in the process.

19 Pantelis bursts into the area but can't keep his feet at the vital moment and the opportunity is lost.

18 Great run down the right by Alagich but his cross is cleared.

17 Salley clears from Fabiano on the edge of the United area.

16 Dodd almost wriggles through a crowded area, the ball bobbles across to Sarkies who puts a woeful effort wide of the right post.

14 Diego can't force his way past the Pohang left-back as another United attack peters out.

13 Diego concedes possession but Burns wins it back on halfway. It's pretty congested in the centre of the park. Alagich then fails to find Dodd inside the area.

12 Dodd penalised for a foul on Suk.

11 Jae is caught offside again although it looks pretty close.

10 Pohang's Jae sets off through the middle a second too early and is flagged offside.

9 Burns fouls his opponent on the right touchline. The free-kick is lofted forward but the visitors are caught offside.

8 Adelaide have made a decent start here and the signs are encouraging.

7 Burns turns brilliantly on the left byline but can't prevent the ball rolling out as he attempts to cross.

6 Pantelis whacks a clearance forward as Pohang try and mount an attack down the right.

5 Sarkies fails to control a pass and concedes a throw down the left. Pohang can't take advantage as the ball then runs through to Galekovic.

4 Ognenovski knocks the ball back to Galekovich after a hopeful punt forward from Pohang.

3 Goalkeeper Young can't hold Alagich's cross from the right but grabs it at the second attempt.

2 Barbiero forces another throw on the left, level with the Pohang area. Nathan Burns tries to pick out Travis Dodd in the area but overhits his cross.

1 Adelaide get the game underway. The home side force a throw down the left but Pohang succeed in shielding the ball out for a goal-kick.

Richie Alagich has been handed the captain's armband for his final outing at Hindmarsh.

The Reds are without the suspended Ang Costanzo while left-back Cassio is starting the long road to recovery after suffering a serious knee injury. Lucas Pantelis comes in at left-back, a role he has performed in his junior days. Fabian Barbiero is handed a start after agreeing a fresh contract at the club. Sarkies also penned a new deal at the club today.

Aurelio Vidmar has chosen the following starting XI to take on Pohang Steelers at Hindmarsh Stadium this evening: Eugene Galekovic, Richie Alagich, Lucas Pantelis, Sasa Ognenovski, Robbie Cornthwaite, Jonas Salley, Diego, Fabian Barbiero, Kristian Sarkies, Nathan Burns, Travis Dodd.