Adelaide United maintained leadership of their Asian Champions League (ACL) group with a workmanlike 2-1 victory over a feisty Binh Duong in Vietnam.

The Reds went to the front through Diego in just the tenth minute and Richie Alagich's 77th minute strike made the game safe, despite an 86th minute consolation free kick by Binh Duong's outstanding player Kubheka Philani.

Any hope the home side harboured of salvaging a late point evaporated soon after with the sending off of Brazilian Robson De Lima for a second bookable offence.

Large stretches of the match were played at a snail's pace, a tempo that favoured Adelaide in conditions bound to sap the visitors more readily than their more acclimatised foes.

United will fly home atop group E on goal difference following Changchun Yatai's 1-0 win over the Pohang Steelers in China, satisfied their pragmatic approach to the ACL is putting them on the path to the next phase.

"Binh Duong were well structured and knew their game, they really don't push you a lot, wait for you to make a mistake and then attack hard on the counter," Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar said.

"We're happy with the way we've set up for these games, we've learned that sometimes it is best when you are playing away to not worry about being too fancy and letting your opponent in that way.

"Tonight we probably scored the goals at the right times, the first one settled us down and gave us confidence for the rest of the game and then Richie chipped in with a nice goal with 10 minutes to go for some breathing space, which it turned out we needed because of their excellent free kick."

Vidmar had underlined the importance of a swift start in the humid conditions and Lucas Pantelis put a shot on target within two minutes from Alagich's long throw that forced a hurried parry from 'keeper Nguyen The Anh.

He was to be at fault when United deservedly took the lead in the 10th minute.

Alagich floated in a free kick from the right flank and Anh failed to grasp the ball as he rushed out to meet it, leaving Travis Dodd to head on for Diego to finish from point blank range.

Not only was Anh made to look foolish on the goal but he was also injured, substituted for back-up goalie Quang Thanh.

On 27 minutes Philani's cross was headed sweetly but just wide of the target by Anh Duc and for the next 40 minutes Binh Duong made most of the play.

However Alagich swooped on a half chance resulting from Dodd's cross to notch the all-important second goal, and Philani's sweetly curled finish from the dead ball was merely a parting shot, confirmed once De Lima was sent on his way for a striker's tackle on Cassio.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP