And the Brazilian is hoping that his woodwork woe during Wednesday night’s goalless draw with Chanchung Yatai does not come back to bite United.

His 66th minute piledriver screamed past the Chinese keeper only to thunder back off the frame of the goal at Hindmarsh and that was as close as the Reds came to breaking the deadlock.

Speaking to au.fourfourtwo.com today following a beach recovery session the 28-year-old said: “I’ll be honest, I got a good connection and I thought it was in.

"It all happened pretty fast and the next thing I know the ball has rebounded back. We’re talking a couple of inches and it’s a whole different story. Still, it’s gone now and you have to move on.

“I think we must see it as two points dropped. We started slowly but we were all over them in the second half and were a bit unlucky.

“It’s very pleasing that we have taken four points from the first two matches but you have to win your home games in this competition.

“We’ve got two games now against the Vietnamese side and they’re probably the weakest team. We need to be looking at taking all six points from those games. Then it comes down to Pohang and then what could be a group decider against the Chinese team.”

Diego was asked to fill the holding role usually performed by Jonas Salley in Wednesday’s game and although it isn’t his preferred slot, he enjoyed the intensity.

He said: “It certainly takes it out of you. It took me a while to find my rhythm but I think the qualities I have can help create opportunities from the back. Your first priority is to defend though.”

While two wins in their next two games against Binh Duong is a huge factor in Diego’s eyes he also feels the experience gained from last year’s Champions League adventure will aid United’s cause in reaching the next stage.

He said: “Last year maybe a few of the boys were a bit nervous, not quite sure what to expect. But now I think we can go into games confident.

"We know there’s not much difference between these league and the other leagues. We know we’re just as capable as they are.”