EUGENE Galekovic is no longer Asia's best-kept secret - propelling Adelaide United into the ACL quarter-finals with high-stakes keeping that sunk Nagoya Grampus last night.

A 41st-minute goal-line touch from Reds stopper Jon McKain proved the difference in a 1-0 round-of-16 win that again booked a spot among Asia's elite.

But it was Galekovic's golden hands and fifth clean ACL sheet that saved the day with a series of clear-cut stops from virtually hopeless positions.

Adelaide might be the poor man of Asia but left feeling - and eyeing - a million dollars in prize money for graduating to the quarter-final stage which begins in September against a yet-to-be-announced opponent. Adelaide made the ACL final in 2008.

There was sweet symmetry with Adelaide's captain's past and present - McKain and Galekovic delivering the stats that mattered.

Still, there were many heart-in-mouth moments for the Reds to negotiate against the super-rich Japanese powerhouse.

Nigel Boogaard swept the ball from Kennedy's feet at point-blank range on 54 minutes while another Galekovic punch saved Adelaide three minutes later.

Legendary Nagoya coach Dragan Stojkovic emptied his bench and threw centre back Marcus `Tulio' Tanaka into the midfield but to no avail. Stojkovic switched striker Tamada for Kanazaki at half-time who forced a 74th-minute, mid-air block from Galekovic.

Adelaide's Fabian Barbiero, then super-sub Serg van Dijk - who hit the crossbar in injury time - could have put the result beyond doubt but it wouldn't matter.

A frenetic opening stanza went into overdrive on 33 minutes with Galekovic peeling off three saves. Galekovic turned himself inside out to deny a crisp Kennedy header on his left post - so impressive even Red Star Belgrade great Stojkovic applauded.

Galekovic denied Kennedy again 30 seconds later, then parried away a solid strike from wingback Abe on 38 minutes.

Nagoya's passing was slick as expected but possession isn't everything as Adelaide has proved time and again this ACL campaign. McKain helped fellow stopper Boogaard's header across the line, past keeper Narazaki and Adelaide was through.

Midfielder Zenon Caravella was inspirational until replaced on 66 minutes - superior in skill and will to Nagoya's vaunted midfielders while Iain Fyfe was a pillar of strength in a holding midfield role.

"It is a huge result - we played well and it is a massive. Eugene is a like a cat, a freak - he did extremely well for us," said club champion Caravella.