Victory, United rivals analysed

There is perhaps a little bit more quality overall in the Western rather than Eastern side of the AFC Champions League draw, but with only the three groups in the East, it makes qualification quite tricky.

The two main dangers are the J-League sides, Kashima Antlers and Gamba Osaka - indeed with Urawa Reds lurking in the quarters (courtesy of a bye), this could be the first time under the new competition format we see two teams from the same country in the final - such is the strength of Japanese football.

Both Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory will therefore be relieved to have avoided Kashima (whose coach Osvaldo De Oliviera was remarkably overlooked for the Sydney FC job that eventually went to Terry Butcher).

Melbourne though face a Gamba side that has been building into a real force in Japan for several years. Their coach Akira Nishino has long been touted as a national coach, and he has constructed a very well organised group built around NT midfielder Yasuhito Endo, and rising star Akihiro Ienaga.

Chonburi FC have recently signed a partnership deal with Perth Glory - so expect some information exchanges out west to undo the Victory - the Thai champions will be weakened by the loss of defenders Suree Sukha and Kiatprawut Saiwaeo to Manchester City but will still be competitive.

Chunnam Dragons earned their ticket courtesy of last year's FA Cup win - a competition that is not that strong, owing to its position at the end of the league season. Victory will fancy their chances against a side whose coach Huh Jung-Moo was recently poached by the National Team.

Adelaide's group contains the tougher of the two Korean sides - and not just in name. The Pohang Steelers won the K-League and are traditionally one of the stronger sides in Korea. Led by a wily Brazilian in Sergio Farias and with a host of promising Koreans in addition to Brazilian Denilson (who they poached from Daejon) they will provide stiff opposition.

Chinese Super League winner Changchun Yatai have had a remarkable rise through the ranks - only being promoted to the top division last season - they surprised everybody by beating powerhosuses Beijing Guoan, Shanghai Shenhua and Shandong Luneng to the title, and will aim to do likewise in Group E.

Vietnamese champion Binh Duong are not likely to provide much resistance on the road, but will be trickier opponents at their home, located just north of Ho Chi Minh City.

The fifth edition of Asia's elite club competition kicks off on March 12 and the group stage concludes on May 21.

The home-and-away quarter-finals are scheduled for September 17 and 24 while the semi-finals will be held on October 8 and 22.

The two-legged final is set down for November 5 and November 12.

Group A

Sepahan

Kuruvchi

Al Ittihad

Al Ittihad (SYR)

Group B

Al Wasl

Saipa

Kuwait FC

Al Quwa Al Jawiya

Group C

Al Sadd

Al Wahda

Al Karama

Al Ahli

Group D

Pakhtakor

Al Gharafa

Arbil

Al Qadsiya

Group E

Changchun Yatai

Adelaide United

Pohang Steelers

Binh Duong

Group F

Krung Thai Bank

Beijing Guoan

Nam Dinh

Kashima Antlers

Group G

Melbourne Victory

Chonburi FC

Gamba Osaka

Chunnam Dragons

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