AFC Champions League preview

Roar ready to make their mark

April 16, 2012

Brisbane Roar may be without a win in the AFC Champions League so far, but coach Ange Postecoglou is confident of delivering the goods when they host Ulsan Hyundai in their Group F clash on Tuesday.

The Roar lie bottom of their group, but will take heart from a 1-1 draw away to their South Korean opponents just two weeks ago, where they played most of the second half with 10 men.

Postecoglou believes his side can overturn the continental form book, despite also having Sunday's A-League grand final against Perth Glory to contend with.

"We've certainly shown our intent to win every game we play and Ulsan are a good side,'' Postecoglou said. "They've started the K-League really well, they're right up there. All the teams in our group have started their seasons really well and we're chugging along all right ourselves so it's a pretty even group.''

In the other Group F clash, table-toppers FC Tokyo will host Chinese side Beijing Guoan.

On the same day, Group B side Al Arabi will aim for their first win when they meet Pakhtakor at home, with Baniyas playing host to leaders Al Ittihad.

Group D sees toppers Piroozi Athletic lock horns with Qatari side Al Gharafa, with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal taking on middle-eastern neighbours Al Shabab Al Arabi.

Buriram United will look to take further control of Group H when they visit Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, as Guangzhou Evergrande host Japanese outfit Kashiwa Reysol.

Adelaide United will be forced into a change for their trip to Pohang Steelers on Wednesday, as influential midfielder Dario Vidosic has failed to recover from an injury picked up during the teams' previous clash.

United are equal on points with the Steelers in Group E, and despite the best efforts of coach John Kosmina, the midfielder is certain to miss out with youngster Evan Kostopoulos expected to take Vidosic's place in the starting 11.

Bunyodkor welcome Gamba Osaka to Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent in the other Group E clash, with the home side desperate to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat in Japan.

Central Coast Mariners coach Graham Arnold insists winning the ACL is of more importance than domestic trophies, ahead of Wednesday's Group G away encounter against Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.

The Mariners missed out on the A-League grand final after defeat to Perth but, with three draws in as many ACL games, are confident of progressing to the last 16.

Arnold said: "Because having to go to South Korea is obviously very difficult and again, I'm a traditionalist. For me it's more important to get into the last 16 of the ACL than win a grand final. Our focus now is to get to the last 16 of the ACL.''

Group G's other match sees Japan's Nagoya Grampus host Tianjin Teda.

Meanwhile, Group A leaders Al Jazira will aim to make it four wins out of four when they face Iran's Esteghlal, while Uzbek club Nasaf will aim for their first win as they host Al Rayyan.

Finally, Group C's only unbeaten side Fooland Sepahan travel to Qatari outfit Lekhwiya, with Al Ahli taking on Saudi Arabia's Al Nasr.