Melbourne Victory eyes bumper payday if it draws a Japanese team in Asian Champions League

Melbourne Victory officials are eagerly awaiting the club’s Asian Champions League draw, knowing the potential match-up could deliver a bumper payday for the A-League power.

DAVID DAVUTOVIC

2 min read

November 21, 2018 - 1:31PM

Keisuke Honda bursts past Jack Clisby of the Mariners during the Round 4 A-League match. Pic: AAP

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A Beatles-like homecoming for Japan’s Keisuke Honda remains up in the air with Melbourne Victory’s marketing department sweating on Thursday’s Asian Champions League draw.

Drawing a Japanese side could boost Victory’s coffers by in excess of $500,000, with rock star status afforded to Honda, who returns to Melbourne tomorrow from Cambodia duty in time for Sunday’s visit to Sydney FC.

A Japanese duel would guarantee a bumper home gate at AAMI Park and extra sponsorship revenue, in addition to increased brand exposure.

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Victory and FFA combined to sign Honda on a $2.9 million-dollar, one-year deal, with the romantic Champions League homecoming part of lure.

Keisuke Honda in action for Victory. Pic: Getty Images

Japan’s automatic allocation has dropped to two, with the other two teams needing to qualify via a one-off home playoff, with China now joining Korea with guaranteed three automatic slots.

J1 League champions Kawasaki Frontale is the only Japanese team confirmed, the second will be the winner of the Emperor Cup, which is at the semi-final stage (Urawa Red Diamonds, Vegalta Sendai, Montedio Yamagata and Kashima Antlers/Ventforet Kofu play tonight).

Second-placed Sanfrecce Hiroshima will almost certainly jag an ACL spot and looms as the promoter’s dream, as it would see Victory legend Besart Berisha return to AAMI Park. Two rounds remain in the J1 League season.

If Victory draws a playoff team, it may not know whether it has locked in a Japanese continental combatant until February 19 — a fortnight out from the start of the ACL.

Honda has not played a club game in Japan since 2007, when he left Nagoya Grampus to sign for Dutch side VVV Venlo, the start of an extraordinarily successful 11-year European career.

The star attacker has become one of Japan’s most celebrated players in that time — a combination of his world-class left-foot and his pizzazz, headlined by his various hair colours and styles and business interests.

Keisuke Honda celebrates a goal with Japan's Shinji Okazaki at the Russia 2018 World Cup. Pic: AFP

Speaking on the eve of the A-League season, the ‘Samurai Blue’ legend was excited about the prospect of playing in Japan.

“It’s exciting. When I went to Holland 10 years ago, I already decided not to come back to Japanese league,’’ he said.

“That means I didn’t expect to play against Japanese team, so it might happen — it will be exciting. If I go to Japan to play soccer right, wow.

“You (will) see how I have difficulty to walk on the street.”

“I like Japan as a country and as a culture. But I’m not so comfortable to live (in) Japan.”

The later Champions League start is due to January’s Asian Cup, which the Socceroos will be defending in the United Arab Emirates.

Victory football chief Paul Trimboli will head the delegation for the Champions League draw in Kuala Lumpur (7.30pm AEDT).

Sydney FC, as Australia’s minor premier’s, qualify automatically, while Newcastle Jets are scheduled to play the winner of Singapore’s Home United or an Indonesian qualifier.