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ESPNsoccernet: Global |
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Friday, December 14, 2012
A-League must change for ACL: Roar
By Laine Clark
Instead of boycott threats, Brisbane Roar general manager Sean Dobson says the A-League should have a good look at itself to ensure they are not snubbed again at the 2014 Asian Champions League.Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou raised eyebrows this week when he claimed he would have pushed for a boycott if he was still Roar mentor after two-time A-League champions Brisbane were asked to qualify for the 2013 ACL.The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have reduced the number of A-League teams in the ACL to two - not three like last year.That ensured the Roar must play an ACL qualifier against Thai club Buriram United in February despite winning the past two A-League grand finals under Postecoglou.Only minor premiers Central Coast were granted direct entry.Besides Postecoglou, Perth owner Tony Sage also passionately complained when last season's grand finalists Glory were snubbed entirely under the new criteria.However, Dobson believed the A-League should look at how the AFC allocated the ACL spots under its new points criteria that took into account a host of factors, including governance and stadia."If we don't qualify it would be disappointing that we were put in this position but it's not something I feel that we can influence," Dobson told AAP."Our focus needs to be on what changes need to be made at FFA/A-League level."What policies need to be brought into place? What needs to be done to reduce our penalty points?"We have to make sure that when we come into the 2014 ACL we get our two teams plus one (qualifier) back again."Meanwhile, Roar defender Jack Hingert has re-signed with the club for another three years.