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2018 AFC Champions League

Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 3:14 pm
by blahblah
Given 2 of our three representatives are Brisbane and Victory, I am not laden with confidence as to Australian clubs' performance.

Brisbane are in the play-offs and host either of Shan United/the Philippines Champion on Jan 23. Either of these clubs is manageable. After that it is Play-off 2 on the 30th of Jan where, should they progress, they meet Tianjin Quanjain where, if nothing else, it will be damn freezing. If they get through they make it into the easiest group with Jeonbuk, Kitchee and the winner of another play-off group. They are a chance to get out of the group if they get through the ice bucket that is Tianjin.

Sydney are lumped with Shanghai Shenua, Kashima Antlers and whoever prevails from Suwon/Eastern/Than Hoa (most likely to be the Koreans). A very tough group but Sydney are playing well.

Victory have Ulsan/Kawasaki Frontale and whoever prevails from Shanghai SIPG/Chiangrai/Tampines/Bali. An easier proposition than Sydney but a club with far lower form; they will struggle.

If nothing else it will be fun.

Re: 2018 AFC Champions League

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 6:33 am
by Stuckey
Wow that's a tough group for Sydney!
Great to see them tested so heavily in Asia!

As much as I'd like to see Sydney bomb out it is important that HAL clubs do well in the ACL otherwise we do run the risk of losing places.

Re: 2018 AFC Champions League

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 12:19 pm
by blahblah
First game for the ACL kicks off next Tuesday in Shan State, Myanmar; Shan United v Ceres-Negros from the Philippines. I plan to get up to the Shan hills for the match; should be fantastic.

Re: 2018 AFC Champions League

Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 10:24 am
by blahblah
Couldn't get there but it looked a decent game, going to penalties in the end which the Filipinos won 3-4. Bugger; here endeth Myanmar's participation in the 2018 ACL.

Bali had an easier time taking out Tampines Rovers. It is great to see Indonesian sides back in the competition and hopefully this means Indonesia itself will be welcome back to the fold.

So it appears Brisbane has Ceres-Negros on the 23rd of January, a side they should not have any trouble with.

Re: 2018 AFC Champions League

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 12:42 pm
by blahblah
As an example as to how poor governance can screw things up, in the 2018 ACL:

(i) No teams from Iraq, Lebanon or Syria can enter as their associations didn't implement the AFC Club Licensing system.
(ii) Saudi only have 2 entrants as all other eligible teams failed to obtain an AFC Club License.
(iii) Kuwait has no teams entered as they are still suspended from FIFA.
(iv) The Champions from Indonesia, Vietnam & Iran all failed to obtain AFC Club Licenses and were replaced by other clubs.

Re: 2018 AFC Champions League

Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 10:23 pm
by shinAUFC
Utterly embarrasing brisbane roar!

Taping on kit numbers while losing to a team like that.

I feel bad for maccarone , came to aus after a big career and puts up with playing infront of a few people and watching his teams kit numbers fall off.

League has regressed back to the ben buckley days

Re: 2018 AFC Champions League

Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 7:12 am
by blahblah
What an utter shambles. Great for Ceres-Negros, however a real kick in the nether regions for the A-League.

Here's to hoping Victory and Sydney put on a better show.

Re: 2018 AFC Champions League

Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 9:16 am
by Stuckey
Losing a spot in the ACL is entirely justified.
I hope the FFA gets a real kick up the arse when the AFC and FIFA vome to town.


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Re: 2018 AFC Champions League

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2018 7:52 am
by blahblah
This year's ACL is shaping as something of a cluster $#@% out West. As the Qatar crisis and Iran/Gulf States crisis continues, states have barred their nationals from travelling. At the moment Saudi/UAE clubs are in the same group as Iranian & Qatari clubs, meaning a lot of games out West will be played in neutral venues.

Group A has Tractor Sazi (IRN), Al-Gharafa (QAT), Al-Jazira (UAE) and Al-Ahli (SAU)
Group B has Al-Duhail (QAT), Al-Wahda (UAE) & Zob Ahan (IRN)
Group C has Persepolis (IRN), Al-Sadd (QAT) and A-Wasl (UAE)
Group D has Al-Hilal (SAU), Esteghlal (IRN), Al-Rayyan (QAT) and Al-Ain (UAE).

A lot of games played in front of empty stadiums await, though the AFC is adamant games will be played on a home and away basis following the experience of last year between Saudi and Iranian clubs (Saudi placing a travel ban on its citizens travelling to Iran).

Incidentally, which neutral venue will benefit? My guess is Oman, who have done a reasonable job of steering clear of it all. I guess it will all become a little clearer when the group stage kicks off on the 12th of Feb.

Re: 2018 AFC Champions League

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2018 8:40 pm
by blahblah
I caught the Suwon - Kashima game on the box, the Japanese look really good. Sydney may be up against it in early March as the Antlers can travel.

Re: 2018 AFC Champions League

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2018 9:16 pm
by blahblah
Looks like I had my last call 100% correct. Then again, GA's coaching record against sides not from Australia is simply woeful so it was not a big call.

Watching Suwon v Shanghai Shenua and the Chinese are playing for a 0-0 draw. Not exactly Champion material.

Re: 2018 AFC Champions League

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2018 9:37 pm
by blahblah
What a f@#$%/g goal from Ki Je. Get onto youtube fks

Re: 2018 AFC Champions League

Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2018 11:25 pm
by otto62
Glad Sydney got the win they needed to keep them alive. Might take the pressure off their game against us.

Even better to see Victory get absolutely hammered .... again.

Re: 2018 AFC Champions League

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 2:05 pm
by blahblah
Round of 16 is underway, with Al-Jazira just getting over Persepolis 3-2, a handy 2 away goal benefit that will give Persepolis some cheer. Al-Sadd defeated Al-Ahli 2-1 which is notable for two reasons: (i) the Saudi side actually consented to play their game in Qatar and; (2) the referee was our own Chris Beath.

Tonight is Zob Ahan v Esteghlal (lot of Iranian sides qualified this year!) and Al-Ain v Al-Duhail whilst out East the round begins tonight also with Tianjin v Guangzhou MoneyBags and Buriram v Jeonbuk. Hopefully I can catch the Buriram game on the box; the Thai supporters really get into it.

Tomorrow night is Ulsan v Suwon and Kashima v Shanghai SIPG.

Re: 2018 AFC Champions League

Posted: Wed May 09, 2018 12:25 am
by blahblah
Tianjin & Guangzhou ended 0-0. a decent result fo Tianjin who need just a single goal to really turn the screws.

Buriram won 3-2 in a game of some questionable defending. The two away goals will be tough to overcome as Jeonbuk are quite the force at home.