Asia awaits again for K League clubs

Daegu FC's Brazilian forward Edgar, center, wins a header against Jeonbuk Motors players during the K League 1 match between Daegu and Jeonbuk at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, on March 1. Yonhap>

By John Duerden

South Korean clubs will start their annual assault on Asia on Tuesday when the 2019 Asian Champions League begins. As usual, there are four teams but this year's edition is looking a little different.

Two new representatives are ready to take their bows on their respective stages. Daegu has never been a big club in the K League and is more familiar with the lower standings than those near the top. The Blues qualified for Asia by winning the Korea FA Cup at the end of last season.

Daegu, led by Brazilian coach Andre Santos, has been rewarded with an opening game in Australia at the home of Melbourne Victory. There can be few better introductions to the traveling demands that are part of the tournament than a midweek round-trip of about 30 hours.

While Korea has a very strong record in this tournament, with its clubs the most successful in Asia, it would be quite a feat if Daegu, which has no experience of competing on domestic and international fronts and with little financial backing, can get out of its group. After Australia comes a first home game against China's Guangzhou Evergrande, Asian champion in 2013 and 2015. Then comes a trip to Japan and Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

A little bit more to the south is Gyeongnam FC, also making a first appearance in the competition. The team takes on Shandong Luneng of China on Tuesday, a team that has just signed Marouane Fellaini from Manchester United for around $14 million, which would be enough to finance Gyeongnam for a year. Former Italian international Graziano Pelle is in attack.

Then comes a trip to Malaysia and local powerhouse Johor Darul Ta'zim followed by tests against defending champion Kashima Antlers of Japan. It would be another amazing achievement if Gyeongnam gets to the knockout stage.

Then there are two more familiar continental names. Jeonbuk Motors has realistic ambitions of a third title to go along with its 2006 and 2016 triumphs. The dominant team in Korea in the past decade may have lost long-serving coach Choi Kang-hee and star defender Kim Min-jae to China, but there is still enough talent and experience to go far. The group will not be easy with Japan's Urawa Reds, Beijing Guoan and Thailand's top dogs Buriram United, but Jeonbuk has what it takes.

Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i has a tougher group. The Tigers won the whole thing in 2012, but will not appreciate being drawn with the champions of Japan and China, Kawasaki Frontale and Shanghai SIPG, respectively. The first game, down at the Australian home of Sydney FC will also be a tricky start, especially as the K-League season is just beginning.

It is a strange not seeing any of those famous names such as Suwon Bluewings, Pohang Steelers and FC Seoul in the group stage of the tournament, but their absence at least gives opportunities for others to make their names. Gyeongnam FC and Daegu FC will announce themselves to Asia this week and it should be an exciting ride, even if it may not last for too long.