An off-season oddity or the final frontier for Australian clubs? The true nature of the Asian Champions League will soon be revealed, as Sydney FC and Adelaide United embark on their own excellent adventure.
Football Federation Australia has been selling the benefits of Australia’s entry to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for more than a year now.
Aside from international football, the big benefit for the A-League’s clubs and supporters, it said, was going to be entry into the Asian Champions League (ACL) and the fame and fortune it would bring.
Yet even now, as we salute the pioneering Sydney FC and Adelaide United on their departure for this brave new world for Australian football, doubts remain over exactly how they’ll perform and whether the potential benefits are sufficient to warrant the clubs’ involvement. But then again, for most football fans getting the pronunciation of Seongnam Ilwha Chunma correct is going to be challenging enough.
So for those who don’t know a Red Diamond from a Shenhua or Kim Do-heon from Li Weifeng, here’s our look at the 2007 AFC Champions League.
The ACL proper was launched in August 2002, and has thus provided just four winners in its history. All but last year’s have hailed from the Middle Eastern countries of West Asia.
However, the competition has roots dating back to 1967, when Asian club competition properly began. In 2002, the Asian Champions Cup and the Asian Cup Winners Cup were merged into the new Champions League in similar reforms to those UEFA have undertaken in Europe over the past decade to create their own Champions League.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of South Korea (Newcastle Jet Milton Rodriguez’s former team) were named 2006 ACL Champions following their victory over Al Karama of Syria at the beginning of November. The two-legged home and away final saw Jeonbuk take a 2-0 aggregate lead from their home leg, with a crucial injury time goal by Brazilian Botti ensuring they were favourites going into the second leg. While two second half goals by Al Karama had the final evenly balanced in front of 35,000 Syrian fans, Jeonbuk’s other Brazilian, striker Ze Carlo, netted an 88th minute winner to claim the prize for the Korean club.
The 2007 tournament will follow a similar structure to that of the 2006 version. In addition to Adelaide and Sydney, the top Asian club competitions each provide two representative teams (with a couple of exceptions – Thailand and Vietnam provide just one team each), making a total of 28 teams which contest the group stage. Commencing this
month, each of the seven groups of four teams will play each other at home and away for a total of six Wednesday night match days running up to the mid-year break at the end of May.
Simply passing the group stage provides a stern challenge however, as only the group winner progresses. Judging by the 2006 tournament, two and potentially three teams in each group will be competitive. For example, last year’s highly-rated Japanese side Gamba Osaka could only finish third in their group, having been beaten by Chinese side Dalian Shide and eventual Champions Jeonbuk.
Following the mid-year break, the Champions League recommences in September. Here the seven group winners, as well as reigning champions Jeonbuk (who receive a bye to the knockout stage), will be paired off in the two-legged quarter-finals. The winners of those matches play off in two-legged semi-finals in October, before a final decider again across two legs settles 2007’s best Asian club team by mid-November.
As you might expect, Sydney FC and United players are excited at the prospect of competing in a new competition, in new environments, against styles and players many never will have seen before.
“It’s a big step,” Sydney FC striker David Zdrilic admits. “Obviously with the Socceroos going into Asia, at club level it brings us that much closer to the professionalism that we wanted. We’ll be playing against big teams, in front of big crowds. I’m sure we can be competitive.”
Zdrilic remains confident about Sydney’s chances, despite their meek exit from this year’s A-League finals. Asian football is known for its inconsistencies with a team looking like world-beaters one week and amateurs the next. With only eight sides in the domestic competition, the A-League players are used to a situation where they know the intricacies of their week-to-week opposition. Travelling to places like China, surrounded by foreign customs, regimented fans and alien climate conditions, will stretch the Australians’ powers of adaptation to the limit.
Another factor acting against our teams is that many of the Asian sides have huge wage budgets, elite playing rosters and the experience of previous ACL competitions. Together with the fact that many of the other sides will be “in season” during the group stage – unlike the Australians – ACL 2007 begins to take on the appearance of mission impossible for Sydney and Adelaide.
However, Adelaide’s Travis Dodd is more optimistic.
“It’s a difficult one, you know,” says the Adelaide and Socceroo midfielder. “Virtually all I’ve seen of the Asian Champions League is the bit they show on SBS here and there. It’s going to be all new for us and the club, travelling to Asia to play games. I guess also with our season not being on here, we’re only going to be playing competitive games once a fortnight, so it’ll be a tough test for the club as well to get around that.”
Michael Petrillo, CEO of Adelaide United, is equally cautious.
“I’m sure that we’ll be competitive, however we must also be realistic in our expectations about the on field results. If we were to top the group and qualify for the quarter finals that would be a tremendous achievement in itself, but in reality that will be tough as we are playing against the champion clubs of China and Korea who operate with huge budgets and have several national team players, as well as top flight foreigners in their squads.”
For the isolated Australian football scene, the ACL is a unique opportunity for clubs to extend their name beyond the limits of their city of origin. Whatever their ultimate level of success, clubs acknowledge the competition’s significance in business terms.
“Football is the number one code throughout the region and the potential to reach hundreds of millions of people is something no other sporting club in Australia is able to currently do in that market,” Petrillo says.
But despite the potential financial and brand-building opportunities, for Adelaide United and Sydney FC, a successful campaign in Asia this year may actually result in a blow to the hip pocket. Due to travel and accommodation demands the clubs could run up a debt. In Europe, the Champions League receives millions of dollars in broadcast revenue, negating debt of this kind for its competing clubs. Yet the ACL does not yet attract the same levels of broadcaster interest. In addition, Adelaide and Sydney at the time of writing have not yet secured deals with current or new commercial partners to help subsidise the cost of ACL participation.
“In truth without being able to procure a major partner for the tournament it may mean it will actually cost us in financial terms to be involved,” Petrillo says. “It doesn’t seem right that the reward for participation is an increase in financial commitment.”
Both Sydney and Adelaide have also faced difficulties in registering squads for the ACL. Contract negotiations with players for the two seasons of the
A-League have been based around the 21-match domestic season. With the addition of the ACL running March to November, these pioneering clubs have struggled to secure a squad for their ACL campaign. The problem has been exacerbated by the FFA’s decision to reject appeals by the clubs for ACL player payments to fall outside the salary cap.
While testing themselves against the top talent in Asia is obviously a draw, for Hyundai A-League clubs, many of which are still finding their feet administratively and financially, entry into the ACL has already proven demanding before a ball has been kicked.
“The time frame in which we have had to negotiate with potential sponsors and even with the playing squad has been very difficult,” adds Petrillo. “But hopefully from next year onwards we will be given sufficient time to prepare thoroughly. This is why in my opinion, it is best to know in advance, as Melbourne Victory do now, that you will participate in 12 months time, as it will give Hyundai A-League clubs time to go to the market.”
Administrative lessons have been learned and in 2008 things will improve, but Australian clubs will still face issues with their Asian inexperience, seasonal oddities and budget restrictions. It may be some years before our clubs can match the exploits of the Socceroos, and rise to top of the Asian pile.
Nonetheless, Australian football fans are fortunate. These ACL fixtures provide more fodder for the fans of the competing clubs to cheer and jeer. Equally, for all football supporters, they will provide a fascinating demonstration of where our football stands on a continental level.
Just remember, think of the ACL like a bowl of Special Combination Noodles – expect to be surprised.
Shanghai Shenhua
Country: China
Stadium: Hongkou/Yuanshen Sports Centre Stadium (35k/20k capacities)
How they got there:
Shanghai Shenhua didn’t need to win anything last season. Second place in the China Super League was enough for last year’s quarter-finalists to return to the ACL, after Shangdong Luneng took out the domestic league and cup double.
Player to watch:
Shenhua have a tradition of recruiting foreign players to complement their strong Chinese base, the last of which was former Bayern and Germany star Carsten Jancker who left after a dismal season last year. Yet it is the Chinese soul of the team that make them a major force, particularly former Everton central defender Li Weifeng (below).
Did you know:
Shanghai Shenhua are in the midst of a possible buy-out by Shanghai United which could affect their ACL squad and stadium. Doubts remain over the legitimacy of the deal and the impact it will have on their ACL and domestic campaigns.
Chance of progressing:
Though rated as third favourites in the betting, Sydney FC’s instability and Shenhua’s ACL experience should see them challenge Urawa Reds
for top sport.
Centrebet ACL odds: 34/1
Sydney FC
Country: Australia
Stadium: Aussie Stadium/Parramatta Stadium (41k/21k capacities)
How they got there:
More than 12 months ago, Sydney took home the inaugural A-League title with a goal from Steve Corica enough to beat underdogs Central Coast in the Grand Final.
Player to watch:
Although he struggled with injury and an inability to adjust to former coach Terry Butcher’s system last season, fringe Socceroo winger David Carney (above) re-signed with Sydney, and will be looking to the ACL in order to re-ignite his star.
Did you know:
The Anzac Day match against Indonesian Champions Persik Kediri will be heal at the smaller, suburban Parramatta Stadium, in Sydney FC’s first competitive home match away from Aussie Stadium.
Chance of progressing:
Although the squad showed at the Club World Championship in Japan in 2005 that they can perform in elite environments, Sydney FC has experienced so much coaching turmoil of late. Additionally, the challenge of playing cashed-up Asian clubs in alien environments, and in fixtures no closer than two weeks apart, should prove too much for Sydney FC.
Centrebet ACL odds: 11/1
Urawa Reds
Country: Japan
Stadium: Urawa Komada Stadium/Saitama Stadium (22k/64k capacities)
How they got there:
Urawa wrapped up their first J-League title in December, yet their victory in the Emperor’s Cup some 11 months earlier had already ensured they would be competing in the ACL for 2007.
Player to watch:
The Reds are blessed with players of top-level European experience such as Shinji Ono and Brazilians Washington and Robson Ponte, but Yuki Abe (below) is a local midfielder in his prime, who has just been signed for a record domestic transfer fee of US$3m.
Did you know:
The club is formally known as Urawa Red Diamonds, from their affiliation with motor company Mitsubishi, which means ‘three diamonds’.
Chance of progressing:
Japanese clubs have been accused of underperforming in the ACL in the past, but the Reds are desperate to win the tournament to qualify for the Club World Championship, hosted annually by Japan. They are favourites to qualify from Group E.
Centrebet ACL odds: 9/1
Persik Kediri
Country: Indonesia
Stadium: Brawijaya Stadium (30k capacity)
How they got there:
Having finished second in the Eastern Conference of the Liga Indonesia, the country’s national league, Persik ploughed through the playoffs, winning four of five matches. In the final in July last year, the “white tigers” beat PSIS Semarang in extra time, with a 107th minute goal from Uruguayan striker Christian Gonzalez.
Player to watch:
The semi-professional Indonesian league is known for its mediocre quality and turnover of players. But in two-time league top-scorer Christian Gonzalez, Persik have the best footballer in Indonesia. He’ll have to work miracles to get Persik through though.
Did you know:
Persik Kediri is one of only two Indonesian teams that has won the domestic title twice since its commencement in 1993.
Chance of progressing:
Last time they played in the ACL, in 2004, they lost 15-0 to Koreans Seongnam Ilwha Chunma. Don’t expect much more of them this time around.
Centrebet ACL odds: 101/1
Sydney FC Fixtures
March 7 Shanghai Shenhua v Sydney FC
March 21 Sydney FC v Urawa Reds
April 11 Persik Kediri v Sydney FC
April 25 Sydney FC v Persik Kediri
May 9 Sydney FC v Shanghai Shenhua
May 23 Urawa Reds v Sydney FC
Aside from international football, the big benefit for the A-League’s clubs and supporters, it said, was going to be entry into the Asian Champions League (ACL) and the fame and fortune it would bring.
Yet even now, as we salute the pioneering Sydney FC and Adelaide United on their departure for this brave new world for Australian football, doubts remain over exactly how they’ll perform and whether the potential benefits are sufficient to warrant the clubs’ involvement. But then again, for most football fans getting the pronunciation of Seongnam Ilwha Chunma correct is going to be challenging enough.
So for those who don’t know a Red Diamond from a Shenhua or Kim Do-heon from Li Weifeng, here’s our look at the 2007 AFC Champions League.
The ACL proper was launched in August 2002, and has thus provided just four winners in its history. All but last year’s have hailed from the Middle Eastern countries of West Asia.
However, the competition has roots dating back to 1967, when Asian club competition properly began. In 2002, the Asian Champions Cup and the Asian Cup Winners Cup were merged into the new Champions League in similar reforms to those UEFA have undertaken in Europe over the past decade to create their own Champions League.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of South Korea (Newcastle Jet Milton Rodriguez’s former team) were named 2006 ACL Champions following their victory over Al Karama of Syria at the beginning of November. The two-legged home and away final saw Jeonbuk take a 2-0 aggregate lead from their home leg, with a crucial injury time goal by Brazilian Botti ensuring they were favourites going into the second leg. While two second half goals by Al Karama had the final evenly balanced in front of 35,000 Syrian fans, Jeonbuk’s other Brazilian, striker Ze Carlo, netted an 88th minute winner to claim the prize for the Korean club.
The 2007 tournament will follow a similar structure to that of the 2006 version. In addition to Adelaide and Sydney, the top Asian club competitions each provide two representative teams (with a couple of exceptions – Thailand and Vietnam provide just one team each), making a total of 28 teams which contest the group stage. Commencing this
month, each of the seven groups of four teams will play each other at home and away for a total of six Wednesday night match days running up to the mid-year break at the end of May.
Simply passing the group stage provides a stern challenge however, as only the group winner progresses. Judging by the 2006 tournament, two and potentially three teams in each group will be competitive. For example, last year’s highly-rated Japanese side Gamba Osaka could only finish third in their group, having been beaten by Chinese side Dalian Shide and eventual Champions Jeonbuk.
Following the mid-year break, the Champions League recommences in September. Here the seven group winners, as well as reigning champions Jeonbuk (who receive a bye to the knockout stage), will be paired off in the two-legged quarter-finals. The winners of those matches play off in two-legged semi-finals in October, before a final decider again across two legs settles 2007’s best Asian club team by mid-November.
 |
| Mohamad Kallon of Saudi club al-Ittihad knows about ACL glory |
“It’s a big step,” Sydney FC striker David Zdrilic admits. “Obviously with the Socceroos going into Asia, at club level it brings us that much closer to the professionalism that we wanted. We’ll be playing against big teams, in front of big crowds. I’m sure we can be competitive.”
Zdrilic remains confident about Sydney’s chances, despite their meek exit from this year’s A-League finals. Asian football is known for its inconsistencies with a team looking like world-beaters one week and amateurs the next. With only eight sides in the domestic competition, the A-League players are used to a situation where they know the intricacies of their week-to-week opposition. Travelling to places like China, surrounded by foreign customs, regimented fans and alien climate conditions, will stretch the Australians’ powers of adaptation to the limit.
Another factor acting against our teams is that many of the Asian sides have huge wage budgets, elite playing rosters and the experience of previous ACL competitions. Together with the fact that many of the other sides will be “in season” during the group stage – unlike the Australians – ACL 2007 begins to take on the appearance of mission impossible for Sydney and Adelaide.
However, Adelaide’s Travis Dodd is more optimistic.
“It’s a difficult one, you know,” says the Adelaide and Socceroo midfielder. “Virtually all I’ve seen of the Asian Champions League is the bit they show on SBS here and there. It’s going to be all new for us and the club, travelling to Asia to play games. I guess also with our season not being on here, we’re only going to be playing competitive games once a fortnight, so it’ll be a tough test for the club as well to get around that.”
Michael Petrillo, CEO of Adelaide United, is equally cautious.
“I’m sure that we’ll be competitive, however we must also be realistic in our expectations about the on field results. If we were to top the group and qualify for the quarter finals that would be a tremendous achievement in itself, but in reality that will be tough as we are playing against the champion clubs of China and Korea who operate with huge budgets and have several national team players, as well as top flight foreigners in their squads.”
For the isolated Australian football scene, the ACL is a unique opportunity for clubs to extend their name beyond the limits of their city of origin. Whatever their ultimate level of success, clubs acknowledge the competition’s significance in business terms.
“Football is the number one code throughout the region and the potential to reach hundreds of millions of people is something no other sporting club in Australia is able to currently do in that market,” Petrillo says.
But despite the potential financial and brand-building opportunities, for Adelaide United and Sydney FC, a successful campaign in Asia this year may actually result in a blow to the hip pocket. Due to travel and accommodation demands the clubs could run up a debt. In Europe, the Champions League receives millions of dollars in broadcast revenue, negating debt of this kind for its competing clubs. Yet the ACL does not yet attract the same levels of broadcaster interest. In addition, Adelaide and Sydney at the time of writing have not yet secured deals with current or new commercial partners to help subsidise the cost of ACL participation.
“In truth without being able to procure a major partner for the tournament it may mean it will actually cost us in financial terms to be involved,” Petrillo says. “It doesn’t seem right that the reward for participation is an increase in financial commitment.”
Both Sydney and Adelaide have also faced difficulties in registering squads for the ACL. Contract negotiations with players for the two seasons of the
A-League have been based around the 21-match domestic season. With the addition of the ACL running March to November, these pioneering clubs have struggled to secure a squad for their ACL campaign. The problem has been exacerbated by the FFA’s decision to reject appeals by the clubs for ACL player payments to fall outside the salary cap.
While testing themselves against the top talent in Asia is obviously a draw, for Hyundai A-League clubs, many of which are still finding their feet administratively and financially, entry into the ACL has already proven demanding before a ball has been kicked.
“The time frame in which we have had to negotiate with potential sponsors and even with the playing squad has been very difficult,” adds Petrillo. “But hopefully from next year onwards we will be given sufficient time to prepare thoroughly. This is why in my opinion, it is best to know in advance, as Melbourne Victory do now, that you will participate in 12 months time, as it will give Hyundai A-League clubs time to go to the market.”
Administrative lessons have been learned and in 2008 things will improve, but Australian clubs will still face issues with their Asian inexperience, seasonal oddities and budget restrictions. It may be some years before our clubs can match the exploits of the Socceroos, and rise to top of the Asian pile.
Nonetheless, Australian football fans are fortunate. These ACL fixtures provide more fodder for the fans of the competing clubs to cheer and jeer. Equally, for all football supporters, they will provide a fascinating demonstration of where our football stands on a continental level.
Just remember, think of the ACL like a bowl of Special Combination Noodles – expect to be surprised.
 |
| Mohamad Kallon of Saudi club al-Ittihad knows about ACL glory |
Country: China
Stadium: Hongkou/Yuanshen Sports Centre Stadium (35k/20k capacities)
How they got there:
Shanghai Shenhua didn’t need to win anything last season. Second place in the China Super League was enough for last year’s quarter-finalists to return to the ACL, after Shangdong Luneng took out the domestic league and cup double.
Player to watch:
Shenhua have a tradition of recruiting foreign players to complement their strong Chinese base, the last of which was former Bayern and Germany star Carsten Jancker who left after a dismal season last year. Yet it is the Chinese soul of the team that make them a major force, particularly former Everton central defender Li Weifeng (below).
Did you know:
Shanghai Shenhua are in the midst of a possible buy-out by Shanghai United which could affect their ACL squad and stadium. Doubts remain over the legitimacy of the deal and the impact it will have on their ACL and domestic campaigns.
Chance of progressing:
Though rated as third favourites in the betting, Sydney FC’s instability and Shenhua’s ACL experience should see them challenge Urawa Reds
for top sport.
Centrebet ACL odds: 34/1
Sydney FC
Country: Australia
Stadium: Aussie Stadium/Parramatta Stadium (41k/21k capacities)
How they got there:
More than 12 months ago, Sydney took home the inaugural A-League title with a goal from Steve Corica enough to beat underdogs Central Coast in the Grand Final.
Player to watch:
Although he struggled with injury and an inability to adjust to former coach Terry Butcher’s system last season, fringe Socceroo winger David Carney (above) re-signed with Sydney, and will be looking to the ACL in order to re-ignite his star.
Did you know:
The Anzac Day match against Indonesian Champions Persik Kediri will be heal at the smaller, suburban Parramatta Stadium, in Sydney FC’s first competitive home match away from Aussie Stadium.
Chance of progressing:
Although the squad showed at the Club World Championship in Japan in 2005 that they can perform in elite environments, Sydney FC has experienced so much coaching turmoil of late. Additionally, the challenge of playing cashed-up Asian clubs in alien environments, and in fixtures no closer than two weeks apart, should prove too much for Sydney FC.
Centrebet ACL odds: 11/1
Urawa Reds
Country: Japan
Stadium: Urawa Komada Stadium/Saitama Stadium (22k/64k capacities)
How they got there:
Urawa wrapped up their first J-League title in December, yet their victory in the Emperor’s Cup some 11 months earlier had already ensured they would be competing in the ACL for 2007.
Player to watch:
The Reds are blessed with players of top-level European experience such as Shinji Ono and Brazilians Washington and Robson Ponte, but Yuki Abe (below) is a local midfielder in his prime, who has just been signed for a record domestic transfer fee of US$3m.
Did you know:
The club is formally known as Urawa Red Diamonds, from their affiliation with motor company Mitsubishi, which means ‘three diamonds’.
Chance of progressing:
Japanese clubs have been accused of underperforming in the ACL in the past, but the Reds are desperate to win the tournament to qualify for the Club World Championship, hosted annually by Japan. They are favourites to qualify from Group E.
Centrebet ACL odds: 9/1
Persik Kediri
Country: Indonesia
Stadium: Brawijaya Stadium (30k capacity)
How they got there:
Having finished second in the Eastern Conference of the Liga Indonesia, the country’s national league, Persik ploughed through the playoffs, winning four of five matches. In the final in July last year, the “white tigers” beat PSIS Semarang in extra time, with a 107th minute goal from Uruguayan striker Christian Gonzalez.
Player to watch:
The semi-professional Indonesian league is known for its mediocre quality and turnover of players. But in two-time league top-scorer Christian Gonzalez, Persik have the best footballer in Indonesia. He’ll have to work miracles to get Persik through though.
Did you know:
Persik Kediri is one of only two Indonesian teams that has won the domestic title twice since its commencement in 1993.
Chance of progressing:
Last time they played in the ACL, in 2004, they lost 15-0 to Koreans Seongnam Ilwha Chunma. Don’t expect much more of them this time around.
Centrebet ACL odds: 101/1
Sydney FC Fixtures
March 7 Shanghai Shenhua v Sydney FC
March 21 Sydney FC v Urawa Reds
April 11 Persik Kediri v Sydney FC
April 25 Sydney FC v Persik Kediri
May 9 Sydney FC v Shanghai Shenhua
May 23 Urawa Reds v Sydney FC
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