By Vince Rugari
Australia is contemplating an ambitious bid to partially host this year’s AFC Champions League to help circumvent what looms as a severe disruption to the A-League season.
Sydney FC and potentially two other rivals are facing the prospect of an almost month-long assignment overseas and then another fortnight in hotel quarantine upon their return, with the group stage of this year’s ACL to be played in centralised hubs between April 21 and May 7.
Ulsan Hyundai were crowned last year’s ACL winners after the knockout stage of the tournament was played in a Qatar hub.Credit: AP
That’s just a few weeks before the A-League finals series is set to begin - thus making it nigh-on impossible for Australian teams to be involved, at least without causing major problems for embattled competition chiefs who have already been wrestling with ever-changing domestic restrictions.
One possible workaround, which sources have confirmed has been discussed between the Australian Professional Leagues and Football Australia, is to play those matches on home soil.
The AFC was due to call for bidding invitations from interested nations and send out details around what would be required to host the ACL’s group stage following Wednesday night’s draw, which saw Sydney FC placed in Group H alongside Korean champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, J.League runners-up Gamba Osaka and Singapore Premier League powerhouse Tampines Rovers.
Qatar hosted the knockout stage of last year’s ACL and sources say it is the most likely host for both the east and west zone’s group fixtures, but the AFC’s preference is for a member association in the east to put its hand up for that half of the tournament.
Sydney FC’s substitutes sit in the stands, socially distanced, at Doha’s Khalifa International Stadium late last year.Credit: Getty
The ACL is expanding this year from 32 to 40 teams – meaning that if the bid gets off the ground and wins support at AFC, as many as 19 teams from across Asia’s east could fly into the country.
Beyond the obvious advantages of playing all of their games at home against foreign opposition, Sydney FC would not need to quarantine for 14 days after their ACL commitments – enabling them to return to action in the A-League much sooner, without any need for extra time to re-condition themselves physically.
The A-League season must be completed by the end of July, which is when the current Fox Sports broadcasting deal runs out - although competition bosses are eager to finish it sooner to avoid a clash with the Tokyo Olympics.
“They’re talking about the hub, and if we have to come back and quarantine - that’s another five weeks out of the A-League season. I just don’t know how that’s possible,” Sydney FC coach Steve Corica said.
“[Playing the ACL at home] would help, definitely. Then obviously you don’t have to quarantine and you could knock it over in maybe two and a half weeks, which helps our league.
“It’d be great for the game, a great experience for everyone - supporters as well, seeing the quality of football in the Champions League and the amount of games that would be played. We’ve got the facilities to do that.”
Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar could also play in the ACL’s group stage this year, but will need to get through two qualifying playoffs - first at home on April 7 and then, if successful, overseas a week later, further complicating the A-League schedule.
While there are few safer places to play professional sport in the world right now than Australia, sources within the game suggest an ACL bid would be a long shot, and that only iron-clad support from a state government would overcome the serious logistical and financial challenges it would present.
Football Australia is also pinning its hopes on government assistance to help the Socceroos play their upcoming World Cup qualifiers at home later this year.