Speaking on the eve of United's Asian Champions League final first leg in Japan against Gamba Osaka, Alagich told au.fourfourtwo.com that he sees a rosy future for ball-playing, technical A-League sides in Asia's biggest tournament.

"They're [the Jets] one of the best ball playing teams in the country," said Alagich.

"They way they're able to retain possession for long periods will suit them in Asia greatly. And they do have pace as well when they do go forward which can hurt teams."

Newcastle and Central Coast Mariners will be Australia's representatives in the 2009 competition. The Jets will go into ACL 2009 with the crucial Asian experience of South Korean wizard Song Jin-hyung, former J-league 2 player Joel Griffiths and ex Olyroo skipper Mark Milligan, who traversed Asia for two years to help Australia qualify for the Beijing Olympics.

Alagich added: "Another critical factor is how they adapt to the travel but absolutely I think they can do well in Asia.

"They're probably in a slightly better position than Central Coast. Having said that, who'd back against them?

"You can't put a price on the Mariners' fighting spirit."

Like Adelaide, who struggled domestically in the lead up to ACL 2008, the Jets are also failing to light up the A-League. The ACL could also see them redeem their year just as the Reds have done so spectacularly.

But as Alagich emphasises, differing approaches require variations in game plans and styles.

"The A-League is a very, very tough league to play in," added Alagich, who retired from the Reds after the ACL group stage draw in China against Changchun Yatai.

"The A-League is pretty much one-paced. Teams just attack whereas in Asia teams are quite happy to let you have the ball for ten or 15 minutes and they'll just sit back.

"And ACL teams tend to attack in waves for ten or 15 minutes or just sit back and soak up some more pressure then hit you again.

"Our lesson in the first year of ACL was invaluable in realising that you retain possession. In the A-League, it's about get forward, get forward.

"And with some of the players we've got, the likes of Cassio, Diego, Cristiano in particular, they like to play the ball around. Little one-twos, and I think that's what happened this year in the Champions League."

Bruce Djite, the former Reds, told au.fourfourtwo.com that United is more of an ACL side, "preferring it to the rough and tumble of the A-League."

Alagich agrees, adding: "Look what happened against Kashima [in the ACL quarter-finals].

"Adelaide sat back and soaked up some pressure. That's what needed to be done and that might not be pretty to watch but that's the way you win games because [in Asia] you play against some real quality opposition.

"And if you go out and expose yourself, they'll punish you. That's what happened in the first year.

"We slowed it down a little but basically we played like we did in the A-League and we got hit time and time again."