The COVID-19 pandemics forced a different lifestyle for everyone; football was no different. One good example of this is the 2020 AFC Champions League, the most important club football tournament of Asia, that was forced to be played in just one venue – Doha, Qatar. All the remaining matches of the group stage and knock-out stage are being played at the next FIFA World Cup venue. The final match is set to be played at 19th November.
One of the teams represeting Australia in the tournament is Melbourne Victory; the team needed a win against South Korean side FC Seoul – and they did so, with many difficulties, with the help of three New Zealand international.
Three Kiwis started the match for Victory – the goalkeeper Max Crocombe, the right-back Storm Roux and the winger Marco Rojas. The game started well for Victory when Rojas opened the scoreline at the 5th minute of play and still in the first half, Jake Brimmer doubled the lead through a penalty-kick. Seoul was able just to pull one back thans to Hwang Hyun-Soo.
The South Koreans finished 24 times while Victory had only 5 shots to the goal – the Australians had 30% of ball possession, while FC Seoul had 70%. Efficiency and a solid defensive work were key for the important victory of Melbourne.
The three Kiwis and Victory are the only side of Australia to qualify for the round of 16 of the AFC Champions League; both Perth Glory and Sydney FC were knocked-out in the group stage. The next opponents of Victory will be also from South Korea: the Austalians and Ulsan Hyundai will be deciding one spot at the quarter-finals of the continental tournament.
Oceania Football Center 