Asian Champions League: David Davutovic and Matt Windley on Melbourne Victory’s ACL opener

AHEAD of Melbourne Victory’s Asian Champions League opener on Wednesday night, Herald Sun football writers David Davutovic and Matt Windley discuss the big one.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 23: Head coach Sven Goran Eriksson gestures during the Shanghai SIPG training session at AAMI Park on February 23, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

AHEAD of Melbourne Victory’s Asian Champions League opener on Wednesday night, Herald Sun football writers David Davutovic and Matt Windley discuss the big one.

DAVID DAVUTOVIC: Lock up your ladies lads, because the Lothario himself is in town.

MATT WINDLEY: Warnie’s been booted out of the jungle?

DD: They don’t play cricket in his native country, though he did some of his best work in England.

MW: Ohh, Sven-Goran Eriksson! Who would have thought we’d see the day that the great man coaches against Kevin Muscat?

DD: The beauty of the Asian Champions League, which has and continues to pit some of the world’s best players and coaches against A-League teams.

MW: I love the ACL. It still doesn’t get anywhere near the kudos it deserves in Australia, but I think that is starting to change — especially following on from Western Sydney’s triumph. This needs to be the competition our clubs aspire to win most, as per the UEFA Champions League.

DD: Agreed. Melbourne Victory are following the Wanderers’ lead, but the Asian Football Confederation could do more, by increasing marketing and prizemoney.

MW: I think the star power that we’re now starting to see flood in to the Chinese market will help the tournament’s visibility in the future. There was $494m spent by Chinese clubs in this transfer window alone. How does this affect Australia?

DD: It poses a threat. Matthew Spiranovic and Trent Sainsbury would be in Europe, but a James Troisi might be in the A-League otherwise. If the A-League doesn’t get a shot in the arm in the next year or so, I worry. If it does, then China will complement it beautifully.

MW: Speaking of China, can we compete in the here and now? Can Victory topple a star-studded Shanghai SIPG side tonight?

DD: A typical fast start is their best bet. You?

Coach Kevin Muscat looks over to the media during Melbourne Victory’s training session at AAMI Park on Tuesday. Picture: Getty Images

MW: Selection is key. Musky rolled the dice impressively two years ago with his rotations and nearly got the team out of the group. I didn’t see Archie Thompson as No. 10 coming — assuming it pans out that way — while tonight looks like being Jai Ingham’s time to shine.

DD: From ABD Stadium to Asia, hey? I fear Carl Valeri’s smarts will be missed as much as they have been in the league, but while Matthieu Delpierre and Besart Berisha are playing they’re a chance.

MW: I think they can get out of the group, but a win tonight is a must as too is a result in Japan against Gamba Osaka next week. Got to take advantage of the fact the Asian sides haven’t started their seasons yet.

DD: True and the same applies for Sydney FC who, like Victory, have stumbled in the A-League.

MW: It’s a big ask for the Sky Blues tonight in Japan against Uruwa — although the atmosphere might well be just as intimidating for Victory at AAMI Park tonight with 1500-odd Chinese fans recruited to support Shanghai.

DD: The joint will be rocking tonight and the standard will be quality.

Originally published as Asian Champions League: David Davutovic and Matt Windley on Melbourne Victory’s ACL opener