The Australian side entered the first-leg of the final at Expo ’70 Commemorative Stadium with a reputation for defensive solidity after conceding only four goals in 10 games in their run to the final.

But Lucas broke the deadlock after 37 minutes and Yasuhito Endo added a second two minutes before half-time as the A-League outfit were put to the sword by Gamba’s slick passing and movement. v Michihiro Yasuda volleyed home a third midway through the second half and the Australians were fortunate not to concede a fourth as Endo found the net with a late free-kick only to see the effort disallowed for an infringement in the Adelaide box.

Vidmar admitted that his side were undone by the quick movement and passing of the Gamba players that tore huge holes in the heart of their defence.

“It became really difficult to match them,” the Adelaide boss said.

“They were really quick and the interchange and passing between their players was extremely good and as for us, we were a bit little timid in that first half.

“Obviously they created holes in our defence with their passes and that proved very costly for us.”

The heavy loss leaves Adelaide with plenty of work to do in the return match at Hindmarsh Stadium although Vidmar was not about to throw in the towel.

“It’s a 3-0 deficit and it will be difficult but stranger things have happened.

“It’s a very big mountain to climb - Mount Fuji probably - but we’ll go out there and do everything we can. That’s all we can really ask for.

“I was really happy with the way that the players went out in the second-half and put a lot more pressure on them.

“With a little bit more luck in front of goal, we might have pinched a goal and made things really interesting but I can’t fault them with the way that they went out there and rolled up their sleeves in the second half.”