Preview: AU v Shandong Luneng 09/02/16

[Stuckey]

Imagine if we played a few npl level clubs to kick off preseason then flew to china and played in freezing temperatures.

That basically what shandong have to deal with, im not even sure if their manager or imports are new which could create more confusion as the team learns their roles.

Group stages have always been slanted in our favour.

Pretty sad that with that advantage HAL clubs have only progressed past the group stage 6 times. AU are 3 of those.

[shinAUFC]

Imagine if we played a few npl level clubs to kick off preseason then flew to china and played in freezing temperatures.

That basically what shandong have to deal with, im not even sure if their manager or imports are new which could create more confusion as the team learns their roles.

Group stages have always been slanted in our favour.

Pretty sad that with that advantage HAL clubs have only progressed past the group stage 6 times. AU are 3 of those.

To fair fair most aleague clubs treated it like a burden. Only until recently have sfc and mv even given it a second thought.

It wasnt that long ago since muscats post match interview revealed how most clubs view the competition

[Stuckey]

Imagine if we played a few npl level clubs to kick off preseason then flew to china and played in freezing temperatures.

That basically what shandong have to deal with, im not even sure if their manager or imports are new which could create more confusion as the team learns their roles.

Group stages have always been slanted in our favour.

Pretty sad that with that advantage HAL clubs have only progressed past the group stage 6 times. AU are 3 of those.

To fair fair most aleague clubs treated it like a burden. Only until recently have sfc and mv even given it a second thought.

It wasnt that long ago since muscats post match interview revealed how most clubs view the competition

I've always suspected that Brisbane tanked the ACL qualifer they played in Thailand a while back. The penalty shoot out they lost in was dismal.

[ChillyPhilly]

I think we'll do alright.

We're by no means underdogs, though - if we were having a poor season, we would be.

[EdDog]

They look 10x more clinical than us but I'm hoping across the park we have a more balanced team.

Their attack blows us out the water but our midfield and defence should be on top.

Biggest test will be in midfield with Mells or Mauk - weakest link at the moment IMO.

[Ghost]

I think it says a lot that this thread is a lot more popular than a the thread about the earlier game which will be a very important game in the efforts of the club to finish as high up in the A-league as possible.

[mcjules]

I think it says a lot that this thread is a lot more popular than a the thread about the earlier game which will be a very important game in the efforts of the club to finish as high up in the A-league as possible.

Or it could be this game is a lot more novel? We know relatively little about Shandong and they played a couple of days ago so there's more to discuss.

[Stuckey]

I think it says a lot that this thread is a lot more popular than a the thread about the earlier game which will be a very important game in the efforts of the club to finish as high up in the A-league as possible.

True. I feel it really highlights how excited many fan's are to see AU back in Asia. But Friday is a massive game I'm certain everyone knows that.

[View From The Top]

35 forecast for Tuesday

[mcjules]

35 forecast for Tuesday

Good, can we move the game to 3pm?

[Slingy]

35 forecast for Tuesday

Going to be tough coming from their winter weather... 7C max, -3C min today.

[Stuckey]

Great news! Hopefully they only let them train in the mid afternoon.

[shinAUFC]

Last time we played these guys i think ian fyfes beard was marquee?

Things change so quickly in football!!

[Stuckey]

Last time we played these guys i think ian fyfes beard was marquee?

Things change so quickly in football!!

Its one area of recruitment I've been impressed with. Fyfe's Beard out, Owen Goal in. Hopefully he gets minutes Tuesday!

[Futbol_Crazy21]

I think it says a lot that this thread is a lot more popular than a the thread about the earlier game which will be a very important game in the efforts of the club to finish as high up in the A-league as possible.

Or it could be this game is a lot more novel? We know relatively little about Shandong and they played a couple of days ago so there's more to discuss.

Ditto. We play A-League teams every week so continental competitions are always going to attract interest because they are more rare for us, with teams that we either have never faced or haven't played in years.