Victory make disastrous start to Asian Champions League

Victory’s Asian Champions League campaign got off on the wrong foot after they suffered a 3-1 loss to Korean side Daegu FC.

Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas fails to stop a goal from Daegu FC’s Cesinha at AAMI Park last night

Melbourne Victory’s Asian Champions League campaign got off on the wrong foot after they suffered a 3-1 loss to Korean side Daegu FC in the opening match of the group stage at AAMI Park last night.

The A-League champions started confidently, dominating much of the first half and opening the scoring through Swedish striker Ola Toivonen on the half-hour, but then had no answer as the visitors struck with the next three goals to send their fans home disappointed.

Brazilian midfielder Cesinha was the star of the show, scoring with a thunderous effort from outside the box to level up in the 32nd minute and having a hand in the other two goals for Hwang Soon Min (51st minute) and compatriot Edgar (61st minute).

Cesinha was a handful every time he touched the ball, showing his class with his passing, vision and ability to take on and beat players.

The result means Victory are now winless in their past five games, including four in the A-League. It was also their first ACL loss in eight games at AAMI Park and their first at home in the ACL since 2011.

Victory’s next match will be against Japanese side Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Tuesday.

Victory would have been kicking themselves not going into the break at least a goal or two up after a quality beginning in which they dominated large parts of the first half.

Certainly Victory’s intent was clear in the opening 10 minutes with Raul Baena and Terry Antonis both firing off long range efforts that weren’t far off the mark.

They almost broke the deadlock in 12 minutes when the impressive Toivonen picked out Kosta Barbarouses with a lovely cross to the right post where his teammate produced a smart header that was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Hyeon-Woo.

Still Victory only had to wait another 17 minutes to open the scoring after some excellent lead-up. Barbarouses linked up with Honda in the middle of the field, before making a run out wide and getting the return pass. He then provided a perfect ball into the box where Toivonen got in front of his marker to turn the ball into the net from about five metres.

However, the lead lasted just three minutes with Daegu getting back on terms through a simply stunning strike from Brazilian Cesinha.

The peroxided midfielder was on the spot on the edge of the penalty area to thunder home a first time effort with the outside of his right boot into the top right hand corner of the net.

The Victory were forced to play with a “clean” strip after concerns were raised over their front of shirt ACL sponsors, Kaishi Entertainment.

While the club said the sponsorship was AFC approved, it was revealed that the sponsors may have links to a betting agency.