The firm performance of Galekovic and a Reds defensive line comprising of Scott Jamieson, Robert Cornthwaite, Nigel Boogaard and Daniel Mullen was integral in United extending their clean slate over Pohang.

Despite dominating throughout the contest, the reigning ACL champions are still yet to find the back of the net against the Reds, who again demonstrated their resilience and ability to grind out a result away from home.

A relieved Vidmar admitted the Reds were fortunate Pohang missed numerous gilt edged chances to score.

But at the same time he was full of compliments for his defensive brigade, which secured United's third clean sheet of this year's competition.

"It was an extremely difficult night for us. Pohang were certainly the better team, they probably had about a hundred shots at goal and fortunately for us their shooting boots weren't on," Vidmar said.

"But we showed a lot of character and I thought our back four and Eugene were absolutely superb."

While it was another dogged effort from United's defence, at the other end of the pitch the Reds struggled to click, Vidmar confessing there was still a lot of improvement and time on the training track needed to improve his team's attacking potency.

"We've got a decent record against them but I'm happy with a point and that we were able to qualify but certainly we need to work a little bit more on our movement going forward because I thought that was a real let down for us," Vidmar said.

Heading into the match with a daunting task of tackling a Pohang side that was unbeaten in their previous 10 ACL matches at home, conditions at the Steelyard made it increasingly difficult.

A blustery wind and slippery surface caused players to lose their footing and struggle judging balls in the air, but Vidmar was pleased with the way the Reds stuck to the task.

"The pitch was very slippery under foot and the blustery conditions made it difficult but we hung in there and that was the most important thing," Vidmar said.

"Always to come away from home, it's a very difficult place here (at the Steelyard), so to get a nil all draw, we'll take that any day."

With both United and the Steelers securing a passage through to the Round of 16 following the result, all that remains to be seen is who will finish top of the group and subsequently earn a home game in the knockout Round of 16.

The Reds currently occupy top spot of Group H on goal difference, which sets up a thrilling finale in the Group Stage's final match day.

United will host China's Shandong Luneng at Hindmarsh Stadium while Pohang travel to Japan to face Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the April 27 encounters.

With a Round of 16 spot secured, Vidmar has already turned his attention to the clash with Shandong, especially considering he will be without Lucas Pantelis, Daniel Mullen and Adam Hughes through suspension, although defender Iain Fyfe is available after serving his one match ban.

He added: "Obviously we'll need to make a few more changes now because we've got a few suspensions, so we'll have to reshuffle the pack again and see how we go from there."