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Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets have managed to avoid the heavyweights of Asian football in their draws for the group stages of the Asian Champions League.
The Mariners have been drawn in Group G with Tianjin Teda of China, Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale and Korean outfit Pohang Steelers.
The Jets are placed in Group E with Ulsan Hyundai of Korea, Beijing Guoan from China and Japan’s Nagoya Grampus.
Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna and Jets boss Gary van Egmond both said they were happy with their groups.
“The Newcastle Jets and ourselves stayed away from the more difficult groups and it would be fair to say that we’re quite happy with the draw,” said McKinna, speaking from the draw in Dubai.
“We’ve got some basic feedback on all of our opponents and now we’ll explore our contacts in China, Japan and Korea in the hope of learning more about each of them.
“All the teams are going to be strong, the J League teams are obviously the most fancied and will always be there or thereabouts, but were not going to be putting any team on a pedestal, well be going out there to compete, do well and hopefully get out of the group.”
McKinna said he will be speaking to the Mariners’ partner club, English Championship team Sheffield United, about possibly signing their out-of-favour Socceroos winger David Carney on loan.
“We will be looking at strengthening and I will be talking to Sheffield United about maybe getting one or two of their players.
“I know David Carney is looking to get a move from Sheffield United and if he doesn’t get away in the January transfer window then I will definitely try and get him on loan.
“I think playing in the Champions League will be be preferable than playing reserve team football.”
Van Egmond said he was also happy with his side’s draw but admitted the Jets failure to qualify for the A League finals this season means is not ideal preparation for their opening game in March.
“Obviously no-one likes to miss out on the A League finals but we will be able to give the players a mini-break before we start our preparations,” he said.
“We will have a series of warm-up games ahead of the tournament, I know Urawa Reds are looking to come to Australia in February so we might be able to play them.”
Van Egmond said he hopes to have added at least six new players to his squad by the end of January and is hopeful a new signing from Korea will be unveiled next week.
“Being in the Champions League has been helpful for us when we speak to potential new signings, but we are aware that there is plenty of options elsewhere for players.
“But we are pretty hopeful we can have some new faces at the club very soon.”
Van Egmond also believes the success of Adelaide United in last year’s competition means Australian teams will no longer be surprise packages in the competition.
“I think everyone was behind Adelaide last year and it was great for the game here but in many ways that can make it harder for us as we will no longer be flying under the radar,” he said.
“We’ve got a real chance to do well in this competition and we will be preparing well to give ourselves the best chance possible.”
Fixtures for both teams will announced at a later date.
Asian Champions League Draw
Group A: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan), Al Ahli (United Arab Emirates), Saba Battery (Iran).Group B: Persepolis (Iran), Al Shabab (Saudi Arabia), Al Gharafa (Qatar), West Asian Qualifier TBC.
Group C: Al Jazira (UAE), Esteghlal (IR Iran), Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Umm Salal (Qatar).
Group D: Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan), Al Shabab (UAE), Sepahan (Iran), Al Ettifaq (Saudi Arabia)
Group E: Ulsan Horang-i (Korea Republic), Newcastle Jets (Australia), Beijing Guoan (China), Nagoya Grampus (Japan)
Group F: Gamba Osaka (Japan), FC Seoul (Korea), Sriwijaya (Indonesia), Shandong Luneng Taishan (China PR)
Group G: Shanghai Shenhua (China), Kashima Antlers (Japan), Suwon Bluewings (Korea), East Asian Qualifier TBC.
Group H: Central Coast Mariners (Australia), Tianjin Teda (China), Kawasaki Frontale (Japan), Pohang Steelers (Korea).
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