Asian Champions League draw: Melbourne Victory could face former fan idol Besart Berisha
Melbourne Victory hero Besart Berisha could be returning to the club in rival colours, with his Japanese club Sanfrecce Hiroshima pitted as a potential Asian Champions League opponent.
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Melbourne Victory hero Besart Berisha could be returning to the club in rival colours, with his Japanese club Sanfrecce Hiroshima pitted as a potential Asian Champions League opponent.
Victory was drawn in Group F alongside two-time champions Guangzhou Evergrande, the Korean Cup winner (Ulsan Hyundai or Daegu FC) and the qualifier, with the J1 League runner-up — currently Sanfrecce — in pole position to qualify.
The Japanese qualifier hosts either Chiangrai United (Thailand), Ceres-Negros (Phillipines) or Yangon United (Myanmar) on February 19 in a one-off playoff.
Sanfrecce’s 36,900-capacity home ground — the Hiroshima Big Arch — would be filled to the brim if they draw Victory, in what would be rock star homecoming for Keisuke Honda.
While Kawasaki Frontale has the J1 League title wrapped up with two rounds left, Sanfrecce is four points clear of Kashima Antlers and hosts Mitch Langerak’s relegation-threatened Nagoya Grampus before closing at fourth-place Consadole Sapporo.
A third-place finish could still keep Sanfrecce on track o face Victory if Kashima finishes second and wins the Emperor Cup — they face Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-final.
Victory football chief Paul Trimboli admitted a Japanese side would be the Champions League promoters’ — and his club’s — dream.
“Everyone would love to see a Japanese team, we can only wait and see. But it would be great,’’ Trimboli said.
“Very tough (group). The top two Chinese teams the last half a dozen years have been incredibly tough. The other two are unknowns at this stage — we’ll find out soon.
“Korean Cup final is soon, you’d think based on the seasons they’ve had you would expect Ulsan (to win). We had them last campaign and found them very difficult.
“It’s a very tough competition. Only one Australian club has won it in Western Sydney, so we’re under no illusion how hard it is. We’ve made the Round of 16 a couple of tournaments ago, so bettering that has got to be our starting point.”
The Champions League kicks off on March 4.
A-LEAGUE CLUBS’ ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUPS
GROUP E
Korea Rep (3rd club)
Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)
Playoff 4 (JPN/AUS/SIN/IDN)*
Playoff 2 winner (CHN/THA/VIE)
*Newcastle Jets’ qualifying group
GROUP F
Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN)
Korea Rep (2nd club)
Melbourne Victory
Playoff 3 winner (JPN/THA/PHI/MAL)
GROUP H
Sydney FC
Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)
Shanghai SIPG (CHN)
Playoff 1 winner (KOR/MAS/HGK)
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Originally published as Asian Champions League draw: Melbourne Victory could face former fan idol Besart Berisha
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