Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat may use selection loophole ahead of Asian Champions League

VICTORY coach Kevin Muscat may name an Asian Champions League squad containing none of his foreign stars should he delay his decision on which players to cut.

Melbourne Victory training at Gosch's Paddock. Coach Kevin Muscat Picture:Wayne Ludbey

MELBOURNE Victory coach Kevin Muscat may name an Asian Champions League squad containing none of his foreign stars should he seek to delay his agonising decision on which two players to cut.

Initial ACL squads are due to be named by Sunday and must contain a minimum of 18 players and a maximum of 30.

But a loophole in the Champions League regulations that allows clubs to add or replace five players up to seven days before their first game could allow Muscat to name a squad this weekend only containing Australians.

The coach would then have to add his foreigners by no later than Tuesday, February 17, a week before Victory’s ACL kick-off against a playoff winner — likely to be Chinese side Shanghai SIPG — at AAMI Park.

There are numerous benefits in delaying.

As was the case when Muscat had to leave Gui Finkler out for the 2014 tournament, there will be natural disappointment for the two players not named.

With key A-League games against Sydney FC, Western Sydney and Melbourne City all before February 17, Muscat’s foreign stars must continue to impress in order to push their case for selection.

Delaying his decision also gives Muscat and football manager Paul Trimboli more time to recruit an Asian player should they choose to bolster their squad for the continental showpiece.

While clubs are only entitled to name three visa players for the ACL, they are able to include a fourth foreigner from another Asian country should they have one on their books.

Victory is able to sign that player to an ACL-only contract but could, if the player warrants it, also sign him to a 14-game A-League guest stint that would allow him to assist in the club’s quest for back-to-back league titles.

Originally published as Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat may use selection loophole ahead of Asian Champions League