The opening matchday of the 2012 AFC Champions League (ACL) kicks off this Tuesday and Wednesday.
This year's edition promises to be very exciting with plenty of clubs emerging throughout Asia, in particular China's big-spending Guangzhou, Thailand's Buriram and stylish Australian outfit Brisbane.
In addition, 2011 saw West Asia end East Asia's recent dominance, which will surely provoke clubs from Japan and South Korea into action.
Indeed, stasamtireko-tips.blogspot.com previews the upcoming fixtures and takes a look at what to expect from each of the 32 clubs competing in this year's tournament.
Nasaf Qarshi (UZB) v Al Jazira (UAE) - Tuesday 6.30pm Dubai time
Uzbek runners-up and 2011 AFC Cup winners Nasaf Qarshi make their first appearance in the ACL, with a home fixture against ambitious UAE champions Al Jazira to begin their journey. The new Uzbek season is yet to start, while Al Jazira are third in the Pro-League with striker Ricardo Oliveira top of the scoring charts.
Al Rayyan (QAT) v Esteghlal (IRN) - Tuesday 7.20pm Dubai time
Last year's Emir of Qatar Cup winners Al Rayyan entertain Tehran giants Esteghlal, who came through the play-offs to qualify for the ACL. Al Rayyan are currently third in Qatar, but have won three on the trot, with Afonso Alves firing on all cylinders. Esteghlal are second in Iran, but have failed to win in their last two domestically as injuries have become an issue.
Bani Yas (UAE) v Al Arabi (QAT) - Tuesday 6.50pm Dubai time
Gabriel Calderon's Bani Yas and Qatari outfit Al Arabi are both making their debut appearances in the ACL. Bani Yas are currently struggling in UAE's Pro-League with Jorvan Vieira sacked earlier this season, while star signing David Trezeguet came and left after an unsuccessful spell. Al Arabi are not doing much better, sitting down in ninth under a caretaker coach.
Al Ittihad (KSA) v Pakhtakor (UZB) - Tuesday 9.35pm Dubai time
Three-time Asian champions Al Ittihad entertain Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor, with the Saudi Arabian side hoping to make up for a dismal 2011-12 domestic campaign. Last season's ACL semi-finalists are currently seventh in Saudi's top flight, having lost three consecutive games. They do, however, have a new boss in Spaniard Raul Caneda. Uzbekistan Cup winners Pakhtakor curiously recently signed Japan's Naoya Shibamura as their Asian player.
Sepahan (IRN) v Al Nasr (UAE) - Wednesday 7pm Dubai time
Current Iranian league leaders Sepahan will meet Walter Zenga's Al Nasr in Isfahan. The Iran champions were knocked out of last season's ACL at the quarter-final stage by eventual winners Al Sadd after fielding an ineligible player. They will hope to improve on that. Al Nasr have some ex-Serie A stars firing the side, including Socceroo Mark Bresciano and former Italy international Luca Toni. The Dubai outfit are currently second in UAE's Pro-League.
Lekhwiya (QAT) v Al Ahli (KSA) - Wednesday 7.30pm Dubai time
Djamel Belmadi's Lekhwiya make their first appearance in the ACL as Qatari champions but their first match is a tough one against Saudi title contenders Al Ahli. Victor Simoes and Amad Al Hosni have been scoring goals for fun in Saudi Arabia's top flight this term, with the team sitting second, one point behind the leaders. Belmadi's side are currently top of the table in Qatar, conceding just nine goals in 17 games.
Al Shabab (UAE) v Al Gharafa (QAT) - Wednesday 8pm Dubai time
Bruno Metsu's 2010-11 Qatari runners-up make the trip to Dubai to face Paulo Bonamigo's Al Shabab. Bonamigo's side, who qualified after a fourth-place finish in UAE last term, are currently fourth again. Meanwhile, the Cheetahs are down in sixth in the Stars League with a bit of a goal shortage after only 15 strikes in 17 games. Al Gharafa have won their past two league games with Iranian Farhad Majidi finding some goalscoring form.
Al Hilal (KSA) v Persepolis (IRN) - Wednesday 9.35pm Dubai time
Two genuine West Asian giants meet in this clash, with Saudi champions Al Hilal playing host to Tehran powerhouse Persepolis. Al Hilal recently replaced coach Thomas Doll with Ivan Hasek following a poor run of results in the domestic league which has left them down in third, but the return of Christian Wilhelmsson after a loan spell is a major boost. Persepolis qualify as Hazfi Cup winners, but are struggling domestically in eighth, although their new coach Mustafa Denizli offers renewed optimism.
Gamba Osaka (JPN) v Pohang Steelers (SKO) - Tuesday 6pm Singapore time
Two recent Asian champions face off at the Osaka Expo '70 Stadium, with Gamba under the tutelage of a new coach Jose Carlos Serrao after the departure of long-serving boss Akira Nishino in the off-season. Gamba are boosted by the arrival of Japan defender Yasuyuki Konno and Korea international Lee Seung-Yeoul, while Pohang lost Mota and Adriano Chuva in the close season, but have added Romania international Ianis Zicu.
Bunyodkor (UZB) v Adelaide United (AUS) - Tuesday 8pm Singapore time
Bunyodkor have won the Uzbek title four years in a row, but their best run in the ACL was as far as the semi-finals in 2008, when Adelaide knocked them out. The same two sides meet in this group, with the Reds qualifying via the play-offs thanks to a 3-0 win over Indonesian champions Persipura. Adelaide are struggling domestically, sitting second last in the A-League. Bunyodkor recently signed Australian left-back David Carney.
Brisbane Roar (AUS) v FC Tokyo (JPN) - Tuesday 5.30pm Singapore time
There's a lot of expectations about Ange Postecoglou's A-League champions, who it is hoped can do well in Asia with little Australian success in recent times. Roar, though, will be without midfielder Mitch Nichols but have lethal foreign duo Thomas Broich and Besart Berisha fit. FC Tokyo are a newly-promoted side in Japan and qualified for the ACL through their 2011 Emperor's Cup success. They lost the Japanese Super Cup at the weekend under their new boss Ranko Popovic.
Ulsan Hyundai (SKO) v Beijing Guoan (CHI) - Tuesday 6.30pm Singapore time
Kim Ho-Gon's Ulsan only managed 33 goals in 30 regular-season games last term before going on to reach the K-League Championship decider. This season they have bolstered their squad with attacking options Lee Keun-Ho and Akihiro Ienaga, who are expected to give them a boost. Guoan, who finished the 2011 Chinese season as runners-up, have lost Joel Griffiths and Walter Martinez, but added former Serbian Superliga Golden Boot Andrija Kaluderovic.
Nagoya Grampus (JPN) v Seongnam Ilhwa (SKO) - Wednesday 6pm Singapore time
Dragan Stojkovic's Japanese runners-up Nagoya Grampus entertain 2010 Asian champions Seongnam Ilhwa. Grampus, who crashed out in the round of 16 last season to Suwon Bluewings, have had few off-season changes, while Korean FA Cup winners Seongnam, who had a disappointing 2011 league campaign finishing 10th, have strengthened their squad with the signing of Korea international pair Yoon Bit-Garam and Han Sang-Woon.
Tianjin Teda (CHI) v Central Coast Mariners (AUS) - Wednesday 8pm Singapore time
Last year's Chinese FA Cup winners Tianjin Teda play host to current A-League leaders Central Coast. Tianjin have had a change of coach and also lost star man Yu Dabao since their cup triumph, while Graham Arnold's Mariners have had a strong A-League season, but recently have only managed one win in their past six games. The departure of striker Matt Simon to Korea has been a blow.
Jeonbuk Motors (SKO) v Guangzhou Evergrande (CHI) - Wednesday 6pm Singapore time
Last season's beaten ACL finalists welcome big-spending Chinese champions Guangzhou in their opening match. Jeonbuk started the new K-League season with a 3-2 win over Seongnam Ilhwa on Saturday, with Lee Dong-Gook breaking the competition's goalscoring record with a brace. Guangzhou are still preparing for the new campaign, but recently won the Super Cup.
Buriram United (THA) v Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) - Wednesday 7.30pm Singapore time
Thai champions Buriram United host 2011 J-League winners Kashiwa Reysol in Thailand. Buriram won a domestic treble last term, so they are ambitious about the ACL campaign, but being drawn in a group of East Asian champions doesn't help their chances. Kashiwa won the Japanese Super Cup 2-1 over FC Tokyo at the weekend and look strong once again.
This year's edition promises to be very exciting with plenty of clubs emerging throughout Asia, in particular China's big-spending Guangzhou, Thailand's Buriram and stylish Australian outfit Brisbane.
In addition, 2011 saw West Asia end East Asia's recent dominance, which will surely provoke clubs from Japan and South Korea into action.
Indeed, stasamtireko-tips.blogspot.com previews the upcoming fixtures and takes a look at what to expect from each of the 32 clubs competing in this year's tournament.
| GROUP A |
Nasaf Qarshi (UZB) v Al Jazira (UAE) - Tuesday 6.30pm Dubai timeUzbek runners-up and 2011 AFC Cup winners Nasaf Qarshi make their first appearance in the ACL, with a home fixture against ambitious UAE champions Al Jazira to begin their journey. The new Uzbek season is yet to start, while Al Jazira are third in the Pro-League with striker Ricardo Oliveira top of the scoring charts.
Al Rayyan (QAT) v Esteghlal (IRN) - Tuesday 7.20pm Dubai time
Last year's Emir of Qatar Cup winners Al Rayyan entertain Tehran giants Esteghlal, who came through the play-offs to qualify for the ACL. Al Rayyan are currently third in Qatar, but have won three on the trot, with Afonso Alves firing on all cylinders. Esteghlal are second in Iran, but have failed to win in their last two domestically as injuries have become an issue.
| GROUP B |
Bani Yas (UAE) v Al Arabi (QAT) - Tuesday 6.50pm Dubai timeGabriel Calderon's Bani Yas and Qatari outfit Al Arabi are both making their debut appearances in the ACL. Bani Yas are currently struggling in UAE's Pro-League with Jorvan Vieira sacked earlier this season, while star signing David Trezeguet came and left after an unsuccessful spell. Al Arabi are not doing much better, sitting down in ninth under a caretaker coach.
Al Ittihad (KSA) v Pakhtakor (UZB) - Tuesday 9.35pm Dubai time
Three-time Asian champions Al Ittihad entertain Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor, with the Saudi Arabian side hoping to make up for a dismal 2011-12 domestic campaign. Last season's ACL semi-finalists are currently seventh in Saudi's top flight, having lost three consecutive games. They do, however, have a new boss in Spaniard Raul Caneda. Uzbekistan Cup winners Pakhtakor curiously recently signed Japan's Naoya Shibamura as their Asian player.
| GROUP C |
Sepahan (IRN) v Al Nasr (UAE) - Wednesday 7pm Dubai timeCurrent Iranian league leaders Sepahan will meet Walter Zenga's Al Nasr in Isfahan. The Iran champions were knocked out of last season's ACL at the quarter-final stage by eventual winners Al Sadd after fielding an ineligible player. They will hope to improve on that. Al Nasr have some ex-Serie A stars firing the side, including Socceroo Mark Bresciano and former Italy international Luca Toni. The Dubai outfit are currently second in UAE's Pro-League.
Lekhwiya (QAT) v Al Ahli (KSA) - Wednesday 7.30pm Dubai time
Djamel Belmadi's Lekhwiya make their first appearance in the ACL as Qatari champions but their first match is a tough one against Saudi title contenders Al Ahli. Victor Simoes and Amad Al Hosni have been scoring goals for fun in Saudi Arabia's top flight this term, with the team sitting second, one point behind the leaders. Belmadi's side are currently top of the table in Qatar, conceding just nine goals in 17 games.
| GROUP D |
Al Shabab (UAE) v Al Gharafa (QAT) - Wednesday 8pm Dubai timeBruno Metsu's 2010-11 Qatari runners-up make the trip to Dubai to face Paulo Bonamigo's Al Shabab. Bonamigo's side, who qualified after a fourth-place finish in UAE last term, are currently fourth again. Meanwhile, the Cheetahs are down in sixth in the Stars League with a bit of a goal shortage after only 15 strikes in 17 games. Al Gharafa have won their past two league games with Iranian Farhad Majidi finding some goalscoring form.
Al Hilal (KSA) v Persepolis (IRN) - Wednesday 9.35pm Dubai time
Two genuine West Asian giants meet in this clash, with Saudi champions Al Hilal playing host to Tehran powerhouse Persepolis. Al Hilal recently replaced coach Thomas Doll with Ivan Hasek following a poor run of results in the domestic league which has left them down in third, but the return of Christian Wilhelmsson after a loan spell is a major boost. Persepolis qualify as Hazfi Cup winners, but are struggling domestically in eighth, although their new coach Mustafa Denizli offers renewed optimism.
| GROUP E |
Gamba Osaka (JPN) v Pohang Steelers (SKO) - Tuesday 6pm Singapore timeTwo recent Asian champions face off at the Osaka Expo '70 Stadium, with Gamba under the tutelage of a new coach Jose Carlos Serrao after the departure of long-serving boss Akira Nishino in the off-season. Gamba are boosted by the arrival of Japan defender Yasuyuki Konno and Korea international Lee Seung-Yeoul, while Pohang lost Mota and Adriano Chuva in the close season, but have added Romania international Ianis Zicu.
Bunyodkor (UZB) v Adelaide United (AUS) - Tuesday 8pm Singapore time
Bunyodkor have won the Uzbek title four years in a row, but their best run in the ACL was as far as the semi-finals in 2008, when Adelaide knocked them out. The same two sides meet in this group, with the Reds qualifying via the play-offs thanks to a 3-0 win over Indonesian champions Persipura. Adelaide are struggling domestically, sitting second last in the A-League. Bunyodkor recently signed Australian left-back David Carney.
| GROUP F |
Brisbane Roar (AUS) v FC Tokyo (JPN) - Tuesday 5.30pm Singapore timeThere's a lot of expectations about Ange Postecoglou's A-League champions, who it is hoped can do well in Asia with little Australian success in recent times. Roar, though, will be without midfielder Mitch Nichols but have lethal foreign duo Thomas Broich and Besart Berisha fit. FC Tokyo are a newly-promoted side in Japan and qualified for the ACL through their 2011 Emperor's Cup success. They lost the Japanese Super Cup at the weekend under their new boss Ranko Popovic.
Ulsan Hyundai (SKO) v Beijing Guoan (CHI) - Tuesday 6.30pm Singapore time
Kim Ho-Gon's Ulsan only managed 33 goals in 30 regular-season games last term before going on to reach the K-League Championship decider. This season they have bolstered their squad with attacking options Lee Keun-Ho and Akihiro Ienaga, who are expected to give them a boost. Guoan, who finished the 2011 Chinese season as runners-up, have lost Joel Griffiths and Walter Martinez, but added former Serbian Superliga Golden Boot Andrija Kaluderovic.
| GROUP G |
Nagoya Grampus (JPN) v Seongnam Ilhwa (SKO) - Wednesday 6pm Singapore timeDragan Stojkovic's Japanese runners-up Nagoya Grampus entertain 2010 Asian champions Seongnam Ilhwa. Grampus, who crashed out in the round of 16 last season to Suwon Bluewings, have had few off-season changes, while Korean FA Cup winners Seongnam, who had a disappointing 2011 league campaign finishing 10th, have strengthened their squad with the signing of Korea international pair Yoon Bit-Garam and Han Sang-Woon.
Tianjin Teda (CHI) v Central Coast Mariners (AUS) - Wednesday 8pm Singapore time
Last year's Chinese FA Cup winners Tianjin Teda play host to current A-League leaders Central Coast. Tianjin have had a change of coach and also lost star man Yu Dabao since their cup triumph, while Graham Arnold's Mariners have had a strong A-League season, but recently have only managed one win in their past six games. The departure of striker Matt Simon to Korea has been a blow.
| GROUP H |
Jeonbuk Motors (SKO) v Guangzhou Evergrande (CHI) - Wednesday 6pm Singapore timeLast season's beaten ACL finalists welcome big-spending Chinese champions Guangzhou in their opening match. Jeonbuk started the new K-League season with a 3-2 win over Seongnam Ilhwa on Saturday, with Lee Dong-Gook breaking the competition's goalscoring record with a brace. Guangzhou are still preparing for the new campaign, but recently won the Super Cup.
Buriram United (THA) v Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) - Wednesday 7.30pm Singapore time
Thai champions Buriram United host 2011 J-League winners Kashiwa Reysol in Thailand. Buriram won a domestic treble last term, so they are ambitious about the ACL campaign, but being drawn in a group of East Asian champions doesn't help their chances. Kashiwa won the Japanese Super Cup 2-1 over FC Tokyo at the weekend and look strong once again.
