Asian Champions League 2017

[RB]

The draw for next year's ACL is out. United will play Jiangsu (China), Jeonbuk (South Korea, a team we played in 2010), and a qualifier:

[Jim05]

Not a bad draw. The Chinese spend a truckload of money but their sides are generally not great. Is Dan Petrescu still manager of Jiangsu?
I know he was there last year and brought in Ramires from Chelsea and Socceroo Trent Sainsbury

[RB]

Don't think Petrescu is still there but I think Alex Texeira was there this season.

[Jim05]

Don't think Petrescu is still there but I think Alex Texeira was there this season.

Would be worth going to the home game just to see Ramires and Teixeira alone, both are absolute quality players. Pity Petrescu isn't in charge still, was one of my favourite non United player in the EPL during that era.

[RB]

You'd think that they could get a few into the game v Jiangsu if they promote it properly.

[PatowalongaPirate]

Looking forward to tonight and seeing some really good opposition. Really happy to back in this competition and it would be great if we can do some damage here early. Gamba's season starts this Sunday so this is their last pre season hit out, so will be interesting to see their tactics and who starts.

Last night the Wanderers got belted at home 4-0 by Urawa and the Roar played a scoreless draw at Suncorp vs Muang Thong Utd of Thailand.

[LaughingKookaburra]

I feel sick for what our clubs hierarchy has done to the efforts of Gombau 3 years ago and the way they have treated a European Football great in Amor. They should be ashamed. Open up the cheque book FFS- Our squad for the last 3 years would have walked away with at least a draw tonight.

Even though WSW won the title a few years back, United are historically are by far Australia's best performers in Asia. For me I rate this comp far better than the A League. ******* disgrace.

[Jim05]

Got closer than I thought tonight. Gamba are quality and we are garbage, thought 5 or 6-0 was on the cards.

[RB]

Well, that's 3 out of 3 competitions this year that we've sucked in. Gamba are quality but we should be playing better against a team who's played only one competitive game this year.

[Jim05]

Well, that's 3 out of 3 competitions this year that we've sucked in. Gamba are quality but we should be playing better against a team who's played only one competitive game this year.

J-League clubs are a fair bit better quality than the A-League clubs currently. Wanderers were destroyed 4-0 by Urawa last night so definitely puts our score in perspective

[Dogwatcher]

Our result wasn't great, but we never seem to throw in the towel. We're just not up to the opposition.

Also, the Roar's draw against Muongthang was surprising, the Thai's gave a very good account of themselves away from home.

[bennymacca]

United very unlucky. Had an equaliser ruled offside which was marginal at best, and then they go down and score to make it 2-0

Alex Teixeira a class above

[bennymacca]

Finished 2-1 in the end. Far from disgraced

[whufc]

United very unlucky. Had an equaliser ruled offside which was marginal at best, and then they go down and score to make it 2-0

Alex Teixeira a class above

Was 100% offside

But yes Adelaide were far from disgraced

[Jim05]

United very unlucky. Had an equaliser ruled offside which was marginal at best, and then they go down and score to make it 2-0

Alex Teixeira a class above

Was 100% offside

But yes Adelaide were far from disgraced

Yep definitely offside.
For $65m Teixeira would want to be a class above!

[LaughingKookaburra]

That tonight is the reason why the ACL shits on the A-League. The pace of that match and the goals is better than 95% of the rubbish served up domestically.

[Wedgie]

Crowd of just over 3.5k on a perfect night for it. Youch!
What a waste of time.

[Jim05]

Crowd of just over 3.5k on a perfect night for it. Youch!
What a waste of time.

For some reason the fans just haven't taken to the ACL, crowds are terrible at all the games across Asia. Just don't think they get the midweek concept

[RB]

Good second half.

Re Jim's post, you're probably right but there's not really much to 'get' with the midweek concept. I mean it's just matches in the middle of the week.

I'm surprised how unpopular it is given that we only usually play against nine different teams in the A-League. Surely people would be interested in seeing another team once every few years? Having said that they do virtually nothing to promote it.

[LaughingKookaburra]

Compared to Europe where the Champions League is taken more serious than domestic leagues it is something that needs to be really looked in to. There is potentially so much extra cash to be made for the Australian Clubs with this.