There was a sense of déjà vu this week as the Reds began yet another foray into Asia - the third such mission the club has embarked upon. Asian Champions League football is a different sort of beast and thus far the Reds have led the way, from an Australian perspective, in knowing how to tame it.
Thus I sat in the eastern grandstand on Wednesday night, relishing the presented chance for post-A-League season redemption, secure in the knowledge that the Reds had seen this beast before. They've learnt from past experience.
As someone who has watched many ACL matches and tasted the highs and lows of the Reds attempts at continental glory - herewith presented is my idiots guide to understanding the beast and enjoying the ACL experience ..
Expect to be outplayed - it may sound defeatist but at the moment, Asian teams are technically superior to us, are great in close and they play at high speed. They will hold possession for extended periods of time - don't be phased by this though. Just enjoying watching them.
Look for the physical - the Reds have managed to use their physical prowess to advantage and they've adopted an intimidation strategy at times, especially in defence. Big Sasa may be gone but Mark Rudan and now Adam Griffiths have been recruited to fill the breach.
Sometimes the scraps can be a meal - expect to win games through a quick counter-attack or a sudden opportunity that comes out of nowhere, such as Leckie's match-winner this week. Winning ugly is ok.
Over-officiating - it's a disease that is rampant through the Asian refereeing ranks. Many of them seem to enjoy the power that comes with being in control and they tend to be stricter on policing fouls and minor incidents - this can be tough to handle when the team is trying to exert influence through physical size. It's a fine line to tread.
Time-wasting is rife - expect to be continually frustrated through little stoppages in play for minor, non-existent injuries. It's not gamesmanship in my view; it brings the game into disrepute. Thus feel free to boo and jeer as much as possible when opposition players engage in this behaviour. I say keep the player concerned waiting on the touchline for at least five minutes before allowing them back on.
Bizarre edicts from above - from time to time these will come, such as the one not allowing (the under-qualified) Viddie to be head coach. Who are we kidding - he's still the man pulling the strings. And anyway, if the club wanted to appoint the office cleaner as head coach, why shouldn't they be able to? It doesn't make sense, but to play in the ACL is to accept the playing conditions, as odd as they might be.
So another ACL adventure awaits - here's hoping the Reds can go one step further than last time and not only tame the beast, but this time slay it.
