Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
An excited Ange Postecoglou is looking forward to the start of Brisbane Roar's maiden AFC Champions League "adventure" as the reigning A-League champions open their campaign against Emperor's Cup winners FC Tokyo in Group F on Tuesday.
After winning a first A-League Grand Final earlier this year, Postecoglou's side are firmly in the race to mount a title defence this season with just three games to go in the regular season - although a 1-1 draw with mid-table Melbourne Heart on Friday brought an end to Brisbane's four-game winning streak.
But despite the setback, Postecoglou is confident Brisbane's style which produced a 36-game unbeaten streak in the A-League, can succeed on the continental stage against an FC Tokyo side who are also making their debut in the competition.
"It's exciting. It is the first time the club has been involved in the AFC Champions League. We are looking forward to it and it is a bit of an adventure for us," said Postecoglou.
"Our focus all along has been to represent ourselves in the competition because it is not just about Brisbane Roar, you are representing your country and in particular the league you play in. Our focus has been on making sure we represent ourselves the same way we do in A-League week in week out and that is play the type of football we have become known for."
Postecoglou is set to be without playmaker Mitch Nichols due to a groin injury, although the return of Brazilian striker Henrique (Henrique De Andrade Silva) is set to allow German Thomas Broich to return to a more advanced midfield role.
"We know FC Tokyo will be a tough opponent, and a different opponent to what we are used to in the A-League, but even that is exciting," added Postecoglou, who sent assistant coach Rado Vidosic to watch FC Tokyo's defeat by J.League champions Kashiwa Reysol in the Super Cup on Saturday.
"They are a quality team and what we expect from a J.League team as they are technically very good, very well organised and disciplined."
FC Tokyo arrived in Brisbane without midfielder Yohei Kajiyama and Brazilian striker Lucas (Lucas Severino), who were injured at the weekend, with Ranko Popovic's also seeking a positive start to their first foray in the continental competition.
"We have had a long flight, but it does not matter how the team is feeling now, it matters how they take on the challenge during the game," said Popovic, who took over after Kiyoshi Okuma stepped down following the Emperor's Cup triumph.
"Brisbane Roar have a similar style to FC Tokyo as they like to play football, so it should be a very entertaining game. Both teams like to pass and move the ball around, and that will be the deciding factor."
Also in Group F, Korea Republic's Ulsan Hyundai entertain Chinese Super League runners-up Beijing Guoan at Ulsan Munsu Stadium.
Ulsan, who finished sixth in the K-League regular season table last season before losing in the play-off final to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, began the new K-League season on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Pohang Steelers, who are also playing in the AFC Champions League this season.
"After we won our first match of the new season we are in a confident mood," said coach Kim Ho-gon, who was in charge during Ulsan's appearance in the 2009 ACL Group Stage.
"We don't know much about Beijing, but we know that they have a well organised defence and focus on counter attacks. They are also strong at set-pieces."
Beijing, who begin the new domestic season at the weekend, will be without injured China international goalkeeper Yang Zhi and departed Australia striker Joel Griffiths, although Jaime Pacheco's side are boosted by the closed season arrival of ex-national team forward Mao Jianqing and former 1860 Munich and Energie Cottbus midfielder Shao Jiayi.
"Both teams play at a high level, and it will be a good game. Ulsan will be confident after winning their first league match at the weekend," said Portuguese coach Pacheco.
"Lee Keun-ho is a good player, while they also have a strong attacking line-up. Their coach Kim Ho-gon is also very experienced."