Reds Face Champ Opener

ADELAIDE United will open their Asian Champions League campaign against holders Pohang Steelers while Melbourne Victory start away at Beijing Guoan.

There are some potential headaches for Victory with the competition getting underway before the A-League finals series is concluded.

The Reds will open their campaign at Hindmarsh Stadium on Wednesday, February 24 against reigning AFC Champions League title holders, Korea Republic's Pohang Steelers. This will be followed by a trip to China for a match against Shandong Luneng a fortnight later on March 10, before facing the yet to be determined Emperor's Cup Winners from Japan home and away in match day three and four.

United will then face Pohang at the Steelyard on Tuesday April 13 before returning to Hindmarsh Stadium for the visit of Shandong Luneng on April 27 in their final match day encounter.

The opening three match days in Group H will be held on Wednesdays, while the following three will take place on Tuesdays.

As for Melbourne Victory, they open their campaign against Chinese Super League outfit Beijing Guoan at Beijing Worker's Stadium on Tuesday, February 23.

Victory will host Korea Republic's Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, March 9, before consecutive matches against Japanese powerhouse Kawasaki Frontale on Tuesday, March 23 at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium and Wednesday, March 31 at Etihad.

Ernie Merrick's men will welcome Beijing to Etihad on Wednesday, April 14, followed by a potentially decisive trip to Korea Republic for its final Group Stage match against Seongnam at Tancheon Sports Complex on Wednesday, April 28.

Ticketing information for Melbourne Victory's three ACL home games will be released early next year.

MELBOURNE VICTORY ACL FIXTURES

Match Day 1

Beijing Guoan v Melbourne Victory
Tuesday, February 23, TBC
Beijing Worker's Stadium, Beijing, China

Match Day 2

Melbourne Victory v Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma

Tuesday, March 9, TBC

Etihad Stadium, Melbourne

Match Day 3

Kawasaki Frontale v Melbourne Victory

Tuesday, March 23, TBC

Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium, Kawasaki, Japan