Going into the second match of the 2008 AFC Champions League, midfielder Lucas Pantelis has emphasised the need for The Reds to get full points at home against the Chinese champions.

United returned from South Korea after upsetting K-League champions the Pohang Steelers a week ago but the squad has quickly turned its attention to trying to back it up with a victory over Changchun Yatai at Hindmarsh Stadium tonight.

In the lead up to tonight’s match, Pantelis knows the win against Pohang would mean little without three more points against Changchun.

“The talk among the players and the coaching staff is that even though it was a great result last week in Korea, it means nothing if we don’t back it up against Changchun Yatai,” Pantelis said.

“Coming off a 2-0 win in Korea was pretty good. The confidence is good at the moment but that means nothing if we don’t get a result at Hindmarsh.”

The situation United finds itself in (at the top of Group E) has a similar feel to a stage during the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 Season. United was sitting at the top of the table after 10 rounds and had the opportunity to capitalise against the Queensland Roar at home. However, The Reds failed to do so and were made to rue a number of chances to plant itself in the top four.

Tonight United is presented with another similar opportunity and Pantelis says the team is determined to grab it with both hands, especially with vocal home support behind them, as only the team that finishes top of the group after the 6 rounds progresses to the quarter finals in September.

“Playing away from home we had a different game plan but coming home and playing in front of the home crowd, we’ll be looking forward to a more attacking style of football,” Pantelis said.

“If we can get a really big crowd I’m sure we can use that to our advantage and if the crowd comes and urges us on I’m pretty sure we will be in with a good chance.”

Last year’s AFC Champions League saw Pantelis make his comeback from a knee reconstruction and while he used it more as a starting point to get himself back on track, in the 2008 version he is setting his sights on having a considerably larger impact on helping United get to the second round.

“Last year for me this was my stepping stone to come back from injury whereas this time around I have had a full season and I am looking forward to taking it to another level. Last year there wasn’t much expectation but this year I am putting a lot of expectation on myself to really perform well and do well for the team,” Pantelis said.

With Pantelis in this frame of mind and The Reds squad out to make the most of being in another promising position, it suggests United will not let anything stand in their way tonight.

“Aurelio (Vidmar) has put it into our heads of what happened during the Hyundai A-League season when we were top at one stage and had numerous opportunities to cement our spot in the four.”

“We have to learn from that and take our opportunity so I think if we can grab a win tonight against Changchun Yatai it will put us in good stead.”