WORST

Not a great look for the Australian champions

It's unfortunate timing for Muscat to send the kids out, given Sydney's elimination last night and the news that the A-League has slipped behind Thailand in the AFC club rankings to ninth.

This means A-League clubs may lose their second automatic qualification place. You could forgive the AFC for wanting to scrap Australia as well, while we've certainly had success in the past, the last thing the confederation needs as they try to build this competition into a genuine contender to the UEFA Champions League is a major Asian nation that doesn't take it seriously.

To see the A-League's biggest club exit in this way is a shame regardless. Who knows how many more opportunities we'll have at this level...

Muscat's ACL record continues to sink

It must have been a sticking point in his contract renewal last season. While it's easy to see his domestic achievements as an infallible accomplishment, remember Ernie Merrick was sacked for similar losses in the ACL and that was approaching a decade ago. 

Four losses and one draw, three goals for and 14 against, eliminated after just four matches. How long will Victory, as ambitious as they are, continue to accept this?

Expect changes from Muscat in next season's competition (assuming they qualify). It's reached the point where Victory can no longer afford to enter all guns blazing, even when they've seemingly got nothing to lose, they're losing a lot more than you might think.