In the lead up to tonight’s AFC Champions League playoff against Muangthong United, everyone involved at Melbourne Victory has been quick to announce their clear intentions to take the competition seriously.
Apart from Adelaide United, no other A-League club has made a real impact in the competition, with many crying foul over the lack of prize money, travel expenses, infuriating gamesmanship and the thousands of miles required to travel for away games.
The vibe coming out of Victory in previous campaigns were negative, and that resulted in poor crowds and performances, but according to head coach Kevin Muscat, the club are now fully embracing the competition.
“It’s a competition where the best teams in Asia are competing. We’re not in that pool as yet so from my perspective it gives us an opportunity to compete against the best teams in Asia, the best club side tournament in Asia,” Muscat said.
“We what to be a part of it. Without a doubt, we want to be a part of it.
“We’ve shown the opposition enough of our respect by doing our due diligence on them wanting to get a good result tomorrow night.”
The challenge of playing the best teams has always been a dangling carrot for participating in the competition, but Muscat feels that the problem in the past was that the nation as a whole failed to grasp the importance of the Champions League.
“The reality is we’ve not really been exposed to it on a regular basis, competing in these latter stages,” he said.
“I think since we’ve joined the AFC, there’s a lot more awareness about the evolution that’s taken off in Asia and how the teams are, not only at international level but their club sides.
“The Champions League is taken very seriously by the teams in Asia and I daresay we’re getting to the point now where our views are reciprocated and we want to do well in this competition, not only qualify.”
The AFC Champions League has grown over recent seasons, with prize money also increasing, especially in the latter stages of the competition.
Archie Thompson feels the old excuses are no longer applicable, and that everyone should understand the importance that the Champions League carries.
“I think Adelaide are the only team that have done really well in this competition,” Thompson said.
“We know how big Asian football is and now especially at this club level that’s what we want to do as a county, as a league to obviously do really well in the [AFC Champions League].
“I think what the perception was going into the [competition] a few years ago was that we lose money and that’s what we were sort of thinking, we go to the [Champions League] and we’re not making any money or whatever.
“Actually now we’re looking forward to getting into Asia and doing really well and the rewards are there, the club builds, there’s prize money to be had. We’re excited about this weekend and hope that our supporters come out.”
With the second round of the competition held in May, there is even more incentive this time around for those pushing for Socceroos selection.
Having plenty of Champions League experience, while playing for Sydney FC and Shanghai Shenhua, Victory skipper Mark Milligan feels it is important not just to keep fit but to be able to play at the top level of club football in Asia.
“I’d love to be part of it all again,” Milligan said.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to play in it with Sydney and Shanghai Shenhua and it is a great tournament. There’s a lot of very good teams.
“It probably hasn’t quite taken off in Australia yet but that’s mainly due to the age of the competition itself. The Japanese and Chinese leagues are a lot older and I think we’re coming to realise it’s an honour to be involved in it.
“I think the more games that you play, the better, the more chance you have of getting into [the world cup squad].
“It’s an ambition of all our squad to play at the highest level – and I think it’s good for everyone, to experience playing mid-week, for the young boys coming through it’s going to be a great learning curve and I think that’s why we’re so focussed on getting the job done.
The tone has been set for the club heading into the clash tonight, and supporters can be assured that the club will be giving it their best effort this time around.