The north-eastern Chinese side have managed only one win in seven games on the domestic front but could book a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a victory against the Australian side at Changchun City Stadium.

Gao has been under pressure because of his team's poor domestic form but he believes a spot in the last eight of the continental championship should help put things right.

"The club will be more than happy to see us make it through in the AFC Champions League," said Gao ahead of the game, which has been postponed 24 hours because of national mourning for victims of the devastating Sichuan earthquake.

"Everybody knows it is impossible for Changchun to win the domestic title every year and if my job is indeed on the line, I would simply say that all good things must come to an end.

"But right now, we know that we have to go all out against Adelaide and do whatever it takes to win.

"Adelaide are very difficult to beat but we have to carry the fight to them because this is a make-or-break game."

Adelaide will have to make do without suspended midfielder Diego and left-back Cassio, who is out with a long-term knee injury, but coach Aurelio Vidmar Vidmar is confident his players can get the job done.

"We've got a pretty good structure at the moment. It has been really good throughout the whole campaign and if we stick to our roles then I'm very confident we can get that point and qualify," he said.

"However, we definitely know that we're up for a massive game.

"Changchun are a very good side, they're a really hard working team and we're under no illusion that we need only one point."

The other Group E game sees Pohang Steelers hosting Vietnam'sBinh Duong looking for a good end to what has been a disappointing campaign for the Korean champions.

Pohang are aiming to build on a good run of form in the K-League in which they have won five straight matches.

"We are getting better all the time and as each game goes by, we are improving as a team and as individuals," Pohang coach Sergio Farias said.

"It is a source of regret to me that we were not able to progress through the group stage of the AFC Champions League.

"It would be great to use this experience to return next year and perform better."

Binh Duong are expected to field a weakened side as they turn their focus to the defence of their V-League title.





Colin Pereira

Chief Sports Reporter, South East Asia

PA Sport Asia

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