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