Melbourne Victory will return to the scene of its 2014 AFC Champions League heartbreak on Tuesday, but this time the stakes are higher.
Last time Victory played at Jeonju World Cup Stadium against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, on April 22, 2014, it needed a win to progress to the knockout stage of Asia’s premier club competition.
The game ended in a 0-0 draw, despite a Victory penalty shout being waved away in the dying stages, and Jeonbuk advanced at the Australian side’s expense.
It was a tough night for Victory, with first-half injuries to Jesse Makarounas and Scott Galloway within five minutes of each other making the task even greater.
This week, Victory hosted Jeonbuk in an entertaining 1-1 draw in the Round of 16 first leg, with Besart Berisha’s early header cancelled out by a crucial away goal from Leonardo.
A place in the Quarter Finals is up for grabs next week, and Victory will head to South Korea knowing it must score at least one goal to keep the tie alive.
Victory has scored in all three of its away games so far in this AFC Champions League campaign, against Gamba Osaka, Suwon Bluewings and Shanghai SIPG.
These are the scenarios facing Victory in the second leg against Jeonbuk:
Victory win: Victory will advance to the Quarter Finals.
Jeonbuk win: Victory will be eliminated from the tournament.
Draw 0-0: The two teams will be level on aggregate, but Jeonbuk will advance via the away goals rule.
Draw 1-1: The two teams will be level on aggregate and away goals, and will play extra time and penalties, if needed, to determine the winner.
Draw 2-2 or higher: The two teams will be level on aggregate, but Victory will advance via the away goals rule.
Victory’s game against Jeonbuk in South Korea will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 503 from 7.30pm AEST on Tuesday.
