The match is the crucial return leg of the AFC Champions League Quarter Finals at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Despite just returning from 11 days straight and playing three games during that time, Ognenovski says the squad will be up for Wednesday’s encounter and that there was no issue with fatigue.

“The guys feel alright. More than half the team got rested on the weekend so there shouldn’t be any excuse on Wednesday,” Ognenovski said.

Ognenovski was one of just three players to start in both the 1st leg of the Quarter Final and against Sydney FC, Coach Aurelio Vidmar making eight changes to the starting eleven that took on Sydney FC.

The only concern for United heading into the game is a groin injury to Vice-Captain Lucas Pantelis, the midfielder in doubt for the match after suffering the injury in the first leg in Japan.

Having secured a 1-1 result in the first leg, Adelaide United will progress to the Semi Finals with a win or a nil all draw in Wednesday’s deciding leg. This sits the Reds in a promising position and Ognenovski believes the pressure was now on the Antlers to come to Adelaide and get something from the game.

“A hard part was getting a result over there. Now they have to come here, they need a result and we opened them up a couple of times over there and had some good chances,” the central defender said.

Kashima’s cause has not been helped with Captain Mitsuo Ogasawara ruled out of the match after damaging knee ligaments in the Antlers’ J-League match last weekend. Ogasawara was a constant danger in the first leg and instigated a number of the Antlers’ attacks.

“He’s a great player. Nearly everything they did went through him in Kashima and I’m sure they will have someone good to replace him but when you lose your leader, it’s a big loss for them,” Ognenovski said about Ogasawara.

Ognenovski also said the Reds would again look to make their presence felt against the J-League champions and that a big vocal home crowd would also give United an added advantage.

“Definitely. I think we did that in Kashima and they will be expecting the same so we’ve got to dish out a bit more, especially at home,” answered Ognenovski when asked if United would look to intimidate Kashima.

“Hopefully we get a full house here and they can intimidate them a bit as well.”