A replay of our fiery AFC Champions League Quarter Final against Guangzhou Evergrande headlines Group H in what is already being billed as the Group of Death.
While the other two spots in Group H are yet to be decided, one will be either J-League runners-up Urawa Red Diamonds or the third-placed Kashima Antlers while the final slot could potentially be filled by our Semi-Final opponents, FC Seoul.
The Korean side will have to overcome the winner of Vietnam’s Hanoi T&T and Indonesia’s Persib Bandung in a play-off to qualify for Group H.
The Japanese team will be decided by Saturday’s Emperor’s Cup Final between Gamba Osaka and Montedio Yamagata. If Gamba come out victorious Kashima Antlers will join Group H, if Montedio win then it will be former Champions League winner Urawa Red Diamonds.
With the Group Stage looking to be stacked with teams you would expect to see in the knockout rounds it ensures that the region of Western Sydney will again play host to some of Asia’s biggest teams.
CEO John Tsatsimas says we are ready to defend our title as Champions of Asia.
“Group H is clearly going to be a very strong group but at the Wanderers we relish challenges and welcome this one with open arms,” said Tsatsimas.
“Our rematch against Guangzhou Evergrande will be one for our fans to savour and possibly already the highlight of the 2015 football calendar.
“There is the potential for last season’s winners, semi-finalists, quarter-finalists and a Japanese heavyweight to all be in the same group, this is what the Champions League is about and we look forward to the 2015 competition with anticipation.”
2015 AFC Champions League Match Days
(Kick-off times and venues will be confirmed once the official finalised schedule is released by the AFC)
- Wednesday 25 February 2015 vs Japan 3rd Club (away)
- Wednesday 4 March 2015 v Guangzhou Evergrande (home)
- Wednesday 18 March 2015 v Play-off Winner (away)
- Tuesday 7 April 2015 v Play-off Winner (home)
- Tuesday 21 April 2015 v Japan 3rd Club (home)
- Tuesday 5 May 2015 v Guangzhou Evergrande (away)
