We Are The Reds

2020 has started already with Ceres Negros defeating Shan United and Bali United defeating Tampines Rovers in the first Preliminary Round (East).

Tomorrow Victory play Bali United in the 2nd Preliminary Round to see who proceeds to the play-off to face Kashima Antlers.

The big news though is Iran threatening to pull clubs Sepahan, Esteghlal, Shar Khodro and Persepolis from the ACL as the AFC has denied Iran the right to host any matches. Three of these are giant clubs and attendances at their home games is huge. The decision was made after a request letter from Al-Kuwait who are to face Esteghlal tomorrow.

Gulf geopolitics at work once again? Whatever the reason the removal of the Iranian clubs will be a blow to the competition.

Big day today. Let's hope Victory don't embarrass us in the ACL.............again. I dare say they will.

Perth should be good value though. They have a lovely combination of a coach who knows how to win the thing, a side that is playing well and a fan base starved of continental football. They aren't in action until the group stage on the 11th of Feb.

Thumping win by Victory. 28th against Kashima will be a sterner test.

In the end the Iranians have agreed to play their 1st three group stage games away to give time for the political situation to calm.

Meanwhile Shanghai FC are facing Buriram in China with the game played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus.

Final play-offs tomorrow night and we have:

Al-Ain (UAE) v Bunyodkor (UZB) - I want Bunyodkor to win but they will have to play their socks off away from home
Al-Ahli (SAU) v Istiklol (TAJ) - again, I'd love to see the Tajiks through but they have even less fire-power than Bunyodkor
Al-Sailiya (QTR) v Shahr Kodro (IRN) - I know very little about either club; anyone have a coin?
Al-Rayyan (QTR) v Esteghlal (IRN) - Esteghlal are a huge club and could well pull off an away victory

FC Seoul (KOR) v Kedah (MAL) - Kedah are nowhere near JDT in quality, FC Seoul should start planning for the group stage
Shanghai SIPG (CHN) v Buriram (THAI) - a real interesting one as they game is being played behind closed doors. Buriram could well take this.
FC Tokyo (JPN) v Ceres-Negros (PHI) - Tokyo had speed wobbles at the end of the J-League however will prevail here
Kashima (JPN) v Victory (AUS) - can Victory win their first ever ACL away game? No.

Big win for Victory, even if Kashima are only 2 weeks into their pre-season.

Ah, both Bunyodkor and Istiklol lost 1-0, conceding goals late in their respective games. Esteghlal did what I suspected and hammered Al-Rayyan 0-5.

The game I wanted a coin for? It went to penalties with the Iranians triumphing.

Out East Shanghai had a comfortable win in the end, as did all of the home teams bar Kashima.

Yokohama F Marinos are off to a flying start with an impressive 1-2 away win against Jeonbuk.

Next up is a home game against Sydney on the 19th.

I watched Tokyo v Perth last night and despite the result the Glory were good value. They may do well in this tournament.

Puts things in perspective when the best team in the A-League by a country mile (in terms of points) gets whalloped by the best J-League team from last season (who are in their preseason).

As the years go on, the gap between our leagues is getting bigger and bigger and the achievements of us and WSW seem even more impressive.

Puts things in perspective when the best team in the A-League by a country mile (in terms of points) gets whalloped by the best J-League team from last season (who are in their preseason).

As the years go on, the gap between our leagues is getting bigger and bigger and the achievements of us and WSW seem even more impressive.

Worth a listen...
Ange Postecoglou interview before the game.

https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode/576125

Not terribly surprising, but the ACL Group srage has been extended until July. The new fixture list will come out in the next couple of weeks.

As this will likely clash with FIFA dates I assume some international players won't be available.

Hell of an upset in one of the few games being played, Malaysian outfit JDT defeated Suwon Bluewings 2-1 last night! Terry Antonis scored for Suwon.

Suwon absolutely dominated possession however when it came to shots at, and on, goal it was pretty even. I'll try to catch a replay of the game tonight.

Sydney play Jeonbuk tonight.