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AFC - The AFC Champions League 2007 group
stage draw has thrown up a handful of intriguing and potential
edge-of-the-seat encounters.
Syrian League champions Al Karameh, surprise AFC Champions League finalists
this year, have their work cut out if they are to have a chance of repeating
their brilliant run after being bracketed with Qatari double champions Al
Sadd, Iraqi League runners-up Al Najaf and Uzbekistan Leaque runners-up
Neftchi in a tricky Group C.
Al Karameh fell just short and went down to Korea Republic’s Jeonbuk Motors
3-2 on aggregate in the Final this year.
Al Sadd’s representative at the draw Ali Khalifa Al Ammari said the going
would not be easy for the Qatari giants either. “Our group is tough as it is
not easy to play against Al Karameh or Neftchi. We have lost to Neftchi
before in this competition. It is very difficult to play away both at Homs
and Fergana. Both are hostile places. Al Najaf are newcomers and we don’t
know about them.”
Vazgen Sarkisyan, Head of the International Department in Neftchi FC, said
the Central Asians were immensely capable of springing a surprise. “Al Sadd
and Al Karameh are of course favourites but don’t count us out yet.”
Australian representatives Sydney FC, who won the inaugural A-League in
2005-06, will get their first taste of AFC Champions League action in an
interesting Group E which comprises Japan Emperor’s Cup and recently crowned
J-League champions Urawa Reds, Shanghai Shenhua, who qualified as China
Super League runners-up after Shandong Luneng’s double, and popular
Indonesia League champions Persik Kediri.
“I think we are in a tough group, but we will try to play well to achieve
our aim to qualify for the quarterfinals first,” said Urawa General Manager
Shuzo Nakamura. “Then we will see how far we can go.”
“We sent our staff to the AFC Champions League 2006 matches alongwith Gamba
Osaka since we knew we would participate in the ACL 2007 (as 2005 Emperor’s
Cup champions), so we have prepared for this tournament for one year.”
The other team from down under Adelaide United have been drawn in a no less
difficult Group G with Vietnamese outfit Dong Tam Long An, K-League winners
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and Chinese Super League giants Shandong Luneng.
Adelaide United CEO Michael Petrillo admitted the draw was tough. “This is
the toughest group on paper. Teams like China (Shandong Luneng) and Korea
Republic (Seongnam Ilhwa) are normally tough nuts to crack and I am not
going to underestimate Dong Tam Long An from Vietnam as well,” Petrillo told
www.the-afc.com
”We are playing in the ACL for the very first time. Of course everyone likes
to win, but then again, we have to be realistic. The Asian football scene is
totally new to us and we have to adapt and get used to different
circumstances and conditions.”
Shandong Luneng official Han Gongzheng said: “Next year’s AFC Champions
League will be a big challenge for us. We are not only competing in the
China Super League but also the A3 League. We give top priority to the AFC
Champions League as here we don’t represent Shangdong Luneng the club, but
also China.”
Group A is made up of Kuwaiti Emir’s Cup winning outfit Al Arabi, UAE League
runners-up Al Wahda, who are in the competition as UAE League champions Al
Ahli are serving an AFC ban, and Qatari Emir’s Cup winners Al Rayyan, who
are making their second appearance.
Al Rayyan team manager Yousef Al Kuwari was relieved with the draw. “The
group is balanced. We are satisfied with the draw. All four teams have
chances to qualify for the last eight. We will try our best.”
Uzbek giants Pakhtakor, who wrapped up a fine league and cup double
recently, are in a difficult Group B with Kuwaiti champions Kuwait Sports
Club, Saudi Cup winners Al Hilal and Iran Pro League champions Esteghlal
Tehran.
Pakhtakor representative Ravshan Salimov said: “For us the draw is not
important. We are always prepared to do our best.”
Al Hilal General Secretary Ahmed Al Khamis felt that the Saudi outfit was
due for a good performance after bombing in the previous editions. “We have
played thrice before in the ACL. One of the reasons is that Al Hilal
supplies most of the players to the Saudi national team and our schedule
clashes frequently (with that of the national team). At one time we played
with 11 players against Pakhtakor. But this time our schedule is clear as
the Saudi team has no big commitments. So we have a good chance even though
we are in the most difficult group.”
In Group D Iranian Hazfi Cup winners Sepahan have been slotted with
Al Ain of the UAE, Saudi League winners Al Shabab and Syria Cup winners Al
Ittihad.
The lone team from Thailand Bangkok University are in an attractive Group F
with Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale, Indonesia Cup winners Arema Malang, who were
banned from the last edition by AFC for late registration, and Korea FC Cup
champions Chunnam Dragons.
“I can't say that the draw is good for us because we need to analyse the
teams in Group F first,” said Chunnam coach Hur Jung-moo. ”Of course, our
aim is to win the AFC Champions League but it would be tough to meet the
schedules of the K-League and AFC Champions League together.”
The group stage kicks off on March 7, 2007, and the winner of each of the
seven groups will progress to the quarterfinal stage (September 19 and 26)
where reigning champions Jeonbuk Motors join the competition. The semifinals
will be held on October 3 and 24 and the two-legged Final is scheduled for
November 7 and November 14.
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