Sydney FC's dream Asian Champions League debut is over - but only after the Blues gave Japanese champions Urawa Red Diamonds a massive fright at a packed Saitama Stadium.

The inaugural A-League champions dominated for long stages but failed to land the killer blow as Urawa ground out a 0-0 draw to secure top spot in group E and a berth in the ACL quarter-finals.

Sydney needed to win to overtake the Reds and advance to the knockout stages. But they were left to rue several missed opportunities, most notably David Zdrilic's blown free header late in the first half.

AAP