Having previously questioned the importance of the AFC Champions League (ACL), Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat has declared he has an “unbelievable appetite” for his team’s Round of 16 tie versus Jeonbuk Motors.
In 2010, Muscat – then Victory’s captain – famously questioned the standard of the ACL after a loss to Beijing Guoan and made it clear he didn’t prioritise the competition highly.
But on Monday, Muscat confirmed his views have changed since he has started coaching in the ACL.
ACL preview: Melbourne Victory v Jeonbuk Motors
“It’s been well documented my comments on the competition many years ago but I think the mindset’s changed now… we’re [Australia] taking the competition far more seriously as a nation,” he said.
“We’re starting to create some special nights. The three games we had here in the group stage were special nights, albeit not our biggest crowds. But they’ve been very entertaining games and you can just sense the public and our members and fans are starting to treat it in that manner.
“Hopefully we get quite a few tomorrow night come out to support us.”
Muscat added he “can’t wait for the challenge” of facing two-time defending K League champions Jeonbuk, who have won the ACL in 2006 and played in the competition’s knockout stages on eight previous occasions.
The two clubs met in the 2014 group stage with the match in Melbourne finishing 2-2 before a scoreless draw in South Korea denied Victory a spot in the Round of 16.
Based on that knowledge and a trip to watch Jeonbuk in the K League earlier this month, Muscat is confident he knows how to beat Choi Kang-hee’s team.
“I had a good understanding of their football club and their style and philosophy beforehand, and obviously going across there and having a lot of time to watch video and stuff has reinforced my thoughts on them,” he said.
Jeonbuk are a hard-working, pragmatic side that provide plenty of threat on the counterattack.
In Lee Dong-gook, Choi has one of the most experienced strikers in Asia at his disposal, while the trickery of wingers Ricardo Lopes and Han Gyo-won will keep Victory’s full-backs busy.
Victory are at full-strength for the first leg with veteran striker Archie Thompson, Victory Medal winner Matthieu Delpierre and Kiwi forward Kosta Barbarouses all set to play their final home match for the club.
