AFC CLE and CL2 2024/25

[Sithslayer1991]

On 17/03/2025 at 7:10 PM, papersun said:

Thanks for the answer, would be great if we could have more teams involved in the comps again.

I thought the mariners winning the ACL 2 might have helped the coefficient or whatever it is they use to decide the numbers.

They just reduced the number for ACLE from 32 to 24 in this new format and as Asian game podcast pointed out Saudi and Japan really shouldn't have clubs in ACL 2 because the gap is so big compared to everyone else.

So as stated we have 1 ACLE and 1 ACL2 spot. However if Smurfs win the ACL2 this season then it will 2 in ACLE and 1 in ACL 2 for next season. Confirmed by Round ball Australia.

The thing killing us atm is COVID season where Victory knockout phase run was rubbed out and followed by the withdrawal the following season by A-league clubs because of lockdown. This will still hurt us from another 4 years or so. Couple that with Mariners horrible showing in ACLE this season Smurfs are essentially carrying the A-league co-efficient this season.

JOHOR from Malaysia is carrying the Malaysian league and the Thai teams have stepped into the vacuum that is being left by the Chinese Super league collapse. That's why we have dropped. 10 years ago Johor and the Thai team were easy beats for A-league. Not anymore since they can have as many foreigners as they want now.

[papersun]

Foreigners, who needs foreigners. Aussie teams full of Aussie players will be dominating Asia soon and we will trampling all over those lesser leagues again.( I hope)

[Sithslayer1991]

Correction 5+1 foreigners in ACLE and ACL2. 

[SBW]

On 17/03/2025 at 7:10 PM, papersun said:

Thanks for the answer, would be great if we could have more teams involved in the comps again.

I thought the mariners winning the ACL 2 might have helped the coefficient or whatever it is they use to decide the numbers.

Winning matches in the ACLE are valuable and are worth 16 co-efficient points, Mariners won 0 matches and that has hurt as Malaysia has jumped us in the rankings and Sydney FC are winning these matches which are worth 8 co-efficient points, I think it will take years until we can get at least 3 teams back in the Asian Comps.

[Paul01]

Smurfs down at half-time 1-0

 

[mack]

And now 2 down.

[GE942150]

Come on Lion City. Make it 3-0 early in the second leg and park the bus. 

[Sithslayer1991]

I watched the whole game while texting my old man. All Lions did was launch the ball to where R Grant and King were and their defence was in 6s and 7s. Like really it could have been 3-0. All the issues they had in December/January came back because they lost Alex Grant, and the more surprising thing was their attack was unable to break down the Sailors defence led by Bailey Wright.

You know what annoys me from all this..... They never play like this for 90 minutes in a derby. Maybe 80 minutes and they rescue the game at the end but never a full 90.

Edited April 9 by Sithslayer1991

[GE942150]

18 minutes ago, Sithslayer1991 said:

I watched the whole game while texting my old man. All Lions did was launch the ball to where R Grant and King were and their defence was in 6s and 7s. Like really it could have been 3-0. All the issues they had in December/January came back because they lost Alex Grant, and the more surprising thing was their attack was unable to break down the Sailors defence led by Bailey Wright.

You know what annoys me from all this..... They never play like this for 90 minutes in a derby. Maybe 80 minutes and they rescue the game at the end but never a full 90.

Hopefully it will be a repeat performance in the second leg, lol.

[Sithslayer1991]

49 minutes ago, GE942150 said:

Hopefully it will be a repeat performance in the second leg, lol.

Honestly I think their whole finals run could be a jeopardy if they don't have a fully fit Alex Grant. Like I am salivating the prospect of playing the Smurfs with a defence in total disarray. But Adelaide have a similar issues so Tomato Tomato

[GE942150]

Just now, Sithslayer1991 said:

Honestly I think their whole finals run could be a jeopardy if they don't have a fully fit Alex Grant. Like I am salivating the prospect of playing the Smurfs with a defence in total disarray. But Adelaide have a similar issues so Tomato Tomato

I expect them to be much better in the second leg. But hopefully Lion City can still get the job done. I'm not sure what the quality of the western conference teams are like compared to the east though.

[StringerBellend]

3 times more of the ball and lose 2-0. Shaun Dyche Likes this

[SBW]

Credit to Lions City, they suffocated Sanfrecce Hiroshima for a draw at home, they embarrassed the Smurfs there too.

But Lion City do not have a good away record in the ACL2, they have only won 1 game against a Thai Club so this would go in Smurfs favour at home

[StringerBellend]

Those 2 goals must have been great long range strikes as according to the Kyle Sandilands look a like Sailors had everyone in their own box the entire game 

 

[GE942150]

Does anyone know the quality of the 2 other teams in the western conference? Are they better or worse than sfc and lions?

[Davo]

Sydney completely dominant (64% possession, 120 final third passes vs 9) but they haven't done anything with it. Both teams have had 2 shots on target.

[Davo]

Costa hit out at his marker. Lucky not to get sent off.

[Sithslayer1991]

I wish they were this wasteful against us

[Smoggy]

31 minutes ago, Davo said:

Sydney completely dominant (64% possession, 120 final third passes vs 9) but they haven't done anything with it. Both teams have had 2 shots on target.

 

[Edinburgh]

10 minutes ago, Sithslayer1991 said:

I wish they were this wasteful against us

They've created bugger all and wasted even less.

[mack]

They even got an A-League special VAR red card not given.

[Upthehill]

Sydney players seemed to have settled into Asian football culture very comfortably. Hitting the ground like a sack of sh/it every time a sailors player breathes on them

[Edinburgh]

3 minutes ago, mack said:

They even got an A-League special VAR red card not given.

Although, the one replay clip we saw wouldn't have added anything to what the referee saw live

[mack]

Smurfs fluke one back.

[Davo]

Took 21 shots but they managed to find the back of the net.

[Davo]

Harper: Sailors by name but they fought like lions this evening.

They're the Lion City Sailors. They're literally lions by name.

[Edinburgh]

1 minute ago, Davo said:

Harper: Sailors by name but they fought like lions this evening.

They're the Lion City Sailors. They're literally lions by name.

Harps commentary tonight has been better than okay until then

[mack]

SMURFS GONE.

[Edinburgh]

And it's all over

[alexd]

No soup for you !!!!  again....