Friday, February 13, 2015
Time To Wrest AFC Cup From Kuwaiti Clubs?
The losses by Persib, Warriors and Johor Darul Ta'zim in the AFC Champions League qualifying rounds won't have come as a big surprise but it does mean South East Asia will have some pretty strong competitors in the AFC Cup but whether one can make it all the way to the final remains to be seen.
As is often the case away form will be key with some clubs perhaps better set up to get something on their travels than others. I am not going down the old group of death nonsense but I do think Pahang and Persib should be thinking they have enough strength to make it through to the next stage.
Persipura reached the semis last year before mysteriously caving in the second leg of the semi final, losing 6-0 at home to ultimate champions Al Qadsia from Kuwait. In fact Kuwaiti sides have won the last three titles and no side from East Asia has reached the final.
I have my doubts that some clubs from our region take the tournament seriously; not out of a lack of respect but domestic campaigns can be draining on resources and you can't blame them for perhaps prioritising games closer to home.
But what the hell. I am looking forward to it and in an ideal world I have earmarked some of the games I would like to see...
Group E
Warriors, Persipura, Bengalarau + 1
24/02 - Warriors v Persipura
Group F
Balestier Khalsa, Johor DT, East Bengal, Kitchee
10/03 - Balestier Khalsa v JDT
Group G
Pahang, Global, South China, Yadanarbon
11/03 - Pahang v Global
Group H
Persib, Laos Toyota, New Radiant, Ayeyawady
15/04 - Laos Toyota v Persib
As is often the case away form will be key with some clubs perhaps better set up to get something on their travels than others. I am not going down the old group of death nonsense but I do think Pahang and Persib should be thinking they have enough strength to make it through to the next stage.
Persipura reached the semis last year before mysteriously caving in the second leg of the semi final, losing 6-0 at home to ultimate champions Al Qadsia from Kuwait. In fact Kuwaiti sides have won the last three titles and no side from East Asia has reached the final.
I have my doubts that some clubs from our region take the tournament seriously; not out of a lack of respect but domestic campaigns can be draining on resources and you can't blame them for perhaps prioritising games closer to home.
But what the hell. I am looking forward to it and in an ideal world I have earmarked some of the games I would like to see...
Group E
Warriors, Persipura, Bengalarau + 1
24/02 - Warriors v Persipura
Group F
Balestier Khalsa, Johor DT, East Bengal, Kitchee
10/03 - Balestier Khalsa v JDT
Group G
Pahang, Global, South China, Yadanarbon
11/03 - Pahang v Global
Group H
Persib, Laos Toyota, New Radiant, Ayeyawady
15/04 - Laos Toyota v Persib
# posted by Me @ 12:49 PM 
