The A-League’s two guaranteed group stage entrants for the 2014 Asian Champions League, Asia’s top club competition, found out their opponents this week as a result of the competition’s draw in Kuala Lumpur. Melbourne Victory could also represent the A-League in Asia depending on the upcoming qualifying playoffs in February.
Having reached the round of 16 in last year’s competition, Central Coast have been drawn into Group F with two-time defending J-League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima, 2013 ACL runners up FC Seoul and an as yet undetermined playoff qualifier which is likely to be Chinese side Beijing Guoan.
The Wanderers were placed in Group H with Korean second place finisher Ulsan Hyundai, Chinese fourth place side Guizhou Renhe and a Japanese qualifier which will likely be either Yokohama F. Marinos or Kawasaki Frontale. The Wanderers’ final opponent will be determined at the conclusion of the Japanese Emperor’s Cup on New Years Day.
Melbourne Victory, who have represented the A-League in Asia on three previous occasions, must defeat whichever qualifier reaches the third playoff round in order to join Group G. If Victory manages to meet the mid-February qualifying challenge successfully, they will be grouped with Chinese champions, tournament holders Guangzhou Evergrande, K-League third place finisher Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and whichever Japanese side does not drop into Western Sydney’s Group H. Kevin Victory’s one-off qualifying match is expected to take place in Geelong on Saturday February 15.
Qualifying playoffs begin on February 2 and the four entrants to the group stage will be determined by February 15. The group stage then begins across Asia on February 25/26, depending on the region.