The home side fell behind to Travis Dodd's 38th-minute header at Kashima Soccer Stadium, before a bizarre own goal from Robert Cornthwaite - the defender sliced Atsuto Uchida's tame shot into his own net while unchallenged - brought them level in first-half stoppage time.

Antlers enjoyed plenty of possession and chances, but poor finishing, alongside some inspired goalkeeping from Eugen Galekovic, mean they travel to Adelaide next Wednesday facing an uphill task to make the semi-finals.

"The game was very well contested," Oliveira said. "Adelaide came with the aim of still having the chance to decide the tie at home so that's why, in my point of view they played defensively.

"Too many of their players were only interested in defending and creating chances on the counter attack.

"They used one such opportunity very well to score the goal and this complicated the match for us. But even in that situation we reacted, our team played hard enough and we created chances.

"I think we have enough of a chance to win the game there and to score goals," he added.

"They have a very good side, they're very strong, but we're going to play to win the game."

Adelaide counterpart Aurelio Vidmar, on the other hand, was understandably delighted to come away from Kashima with a draw, but was quick to highlight that the tie is far from over.

"It's a very good result tonight but the game's over two legs so we know there's a lot of hard work to do next week," the 41-year-old said.

"When it's backs to the wall the players really lift, and again tonight they were fantastic, led superbly by our goalkeeper Galekovic, who was tremendous.

"But what's really important is that collectively, the whole team played to their maximum so that's pleasing,

"Kashima are a very classy outfit. We're really pleased with the result but know there's a lot of work to do next week."

Adelaide are the first side from the A-League to make it through to the knockout stages of the Champions League and while refusing to look too far ahead, Vidmar did concede it would be a huge lift for Reds' profile if they did go all the way.

"Firstly, for Adeladie United to get to this stage, it's a massive achievement," he added.

"Now we've got the opportunity to take the next step but really we have to take it slowly and not get too far ahead of ourselves.

"Certainly we know this game has a special way of smacking you in the face when you least expect it so we need to take very day as it comes. But if we can take the next step, it would be massive."