Ryuji Bando holds the trophy aloft [AFP]

Osaka beat defending champion and Japanese J-League rival Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finals and then dominated both legs of the final, winning 2-0 in Australia after a 3-0 victory in the home leg last week.

Despite the loss, Adelaide, the first Australian club to reach the Asian club championship final, have qualified for the Club World Cup.

Adelaide will meet teams such as Manchester United next month and Gamba have also earned a spot as Asian champion.

Strong start

Gamba coach Akira Nishino said his team was confident going into the match but still surprised by the strength of their start.

"There was a lot of pressure, but I'm very happy for us to receive this trophy," he said.

"We started a lot smoother than I expected.

"I expected a lot of pressure but we were very aggressive."

Adelaide's best chance of a comeback from the first-leg deficit was to keep a clean sheet and score three to force extra time, but that plan was ruined early when 17-year-old goalkeeper Mark Birighitti parried Hayato Sasaki's long-range shot and Lucas pounced on the rebound.

The away goals rule meant Adelaide faced the enormous task of getting five goals, and the contest was effectively ended in the 15th minute when good lead-up work in midfield put Lucas through on goal.

He nudged the ball with the outside of his right boot beyond the onrushing Birighitti, who was deputising for Adelaide's suspended first-choice goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic.

Gamba Osaka player Lucas Severino celebrates after scoring his goal [AFP]

Limited chances

Adelaide had limited chances, finding the back of the net in the 27th minute but they were called back for offside, and Kristian Sarkies narrowly failed to make contact with a Travis Dodd cross in the 51st minute.

"It seemed like they had 15 players out there," Dodd said.

"They found space, their movement off the ball was unbelievable and they're easily the best team we've played in this competition.

"It's been a long physical and mental journey.

"It's bitterly disappointing to lose any game but a final is especially bad."

Adelaide will play New Zealand's Waitakere United in the opening game of the Club World Cup next month, and if they win, they will face Gamba again, with the victor of that match to take on Manchester United in the semi-finals.

Recommend this article...

Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto: