EXCLUSIVE: Melbourne Victory's brains trust is flying across Asia on a three-pronged scouting mission ahead of the club's inaugural Asian Champions League campaign next month.
The club is leaving no stone unturned to win its ACL group. Coach Ernie Merrick is in Honolulu keeping tabs on group heavyweight Gamba Osaka – currently playing in the Pan Pacific Soccer Championships against Sydney FC, LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo.
Victory assistant coach Aaron Healy will size up Bangkok outfit Chonburi FC while former Socceroo and current Melbourne football manager Gary Cole flies to South Korea to scout match day one opponents Chunnam Dragons.
The Dragons play Victory at Telstra Dome on March 12 in the club's inaugural fixture in the ACL followed by a trip to Bangkok a week later.
After a ten day break following the conclusion of the regular season in the A-League, the season two champions have been back in full training with conditioning staff working the squad extremely hard to make up for a lack of game time.
Meanwhile misfit Ljubo Milicevic remains on the outer at the club with insiders tipping his situation with the club will be resolved before the new A-League season.
The former Socceroo only played twice after signing for big money in the off-season. A knee complaint scuppered his chances of a regular spot.
Victory assistant coach Aaron Healy will size up Bangkok outfit Chonburi FC while former Socceroo and current Melbourne football manager Gary Cole flies to South Korea to scout match day one opponents Chunnam Dragons.
The Dragons play Victory at Telstra Dome on March 12 in the club's inaugural fixture in the ACL followed by a trip to Bangkok a week later.
After a ten day break following the conclusion of the regular season in the A-League, the season two champions have been back in full training with conditioning staff working the squad extremely hard to make up for a lack of game time.
Meanwhile misfit Ljubo Milicevic remains on the outer at the club with insiders tipping his situation with the club will be resolved before the new A-League season.
The former Socceroo only played twice after signing for big money in the off-season. A knee complaint scuppered his chances of a regular spot.
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