ACL 09 - the who, the what, the where.

[dru]

Basically it's coming to the pointy end of all competitions that still have spots open and time to look at who we may be facing. yes yes serial already looked at china but what about the Japanese and southies.

China
As per the previous thread it was the top 4 as per one round to go.

Shandong Luneng
Shanghai Shenhua
Beijing Guoan
Tianjin Teda

Japan.
One round to go and so far we have Recky'e favorite nippon club Kashima antlers qualified and looking good for the title with realistically only a point needed against already relegated Sapporo. (a point puts them out of reach of Kawasaki and three points ahead of Nagoya but their GD is +25)

Currently sitting second is Nagoya Grampus who play Oita Trinita who sit fourth and 3 points behind Nagoya. A draw or a win to Nagoya puts them though while a loss by 1 or possibly 2 goal should see them through (currently GD is 4 goal apart).

Kawasaki Frontale sit third they play 16th placed Tokyo Verdy so should get the point they need to make third (with a whopping +21 goal difference if more than one club finishes on 58 pts they will qualify.

The only other team able to claim the third spot is F.C. Tokyo (what is a FC? ) but with a goal difference of only +6 (compared to Nagoya +13 and Oita +9) they are probably done and dusted unless both Tokyo Verdy and Oita win and they get a huge win over JEF chiba who are sitting in 17th place (6-0 result asuning a 2 goal win by Oita)

Emperor's Cup quarter finals are:

(10th) Yokohama F. Marinos Sagan Tosu (J2)
(8th) Gamba Osaka Nagoya Grampus (2nd)
(7th) Shimizu S-Pulse F.C. Tokyo (5th)
(11th) Kashiwa Reysol Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J2)

The tight wads out there will be hoping we get a mariners derby with Yokohama if they win the cup so they can fly deathstar direct

Other interesting facts are that Urawa will not be competing next year as they are already knocked out of Emperor's cup. Gamba Osaka will only qualify if they win the cup as next season there is no automatic qualification for ACL winners.

South Korea

Already qualified are:

Suwon Bluewings (suwon is a satellite city of Seoul about 30km away)
Seoul
Ulsan Horang-i ( supposedly about 20 flights per day from Seoul the stadium was one of the ones used for the '02 world cup)

With just the Korean FA cup winner to be decided

Gyeongnam FC (finished 8th)
Goyang Kookmin Bank (play in second division)
Pohang Steelers (finished 5th)
Daegu FC (finished 11th)

Looking at that you would say probably Pohang as they beat Daegu 3-0 and 4-1 in the league this year and Gyoeongnam 3-1 and 4-3. but it is a cup so who knows

 

[dru]

Japanese results from the weekend give us

Kashima winning back to back titles
Kawasaki Frontale jumping into second with a 2-0 win over Tokyo Verdy
Nagoya Grampus drew with Oita Trinita which saw them get third

 

[greenlion]

Qualified clubs from Japan, South Korea, and China, Japanese Emperors cup and South Korea FA Cup are still not finished yet

Kashima Antlers
nickname: the Deers
Fans group: Infight; Red Death
Found: 1947 as Sumitomo Metal Industries
Professionalism: 1991
League Champions(7): 1972, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2008
Emperor's Cup Winners(3): 1997, 2000, 2007
League Cup winners(3): 1997, 2000, 2002
Asian Performance:
ACC 97/98: Quarter-Finals
ACWC 98/99: 3rd
ACC 99/00: Quarter-Finals
ACC 01/02: Quarter-Finals
ACL 2003: Group Stage
ACL 2008: Quarter-Finals
East Asian Club Championship 2003: Champions
Stadium: Kashima Soccer Stadium (Capacity: 40,728)
Average home attendance in J-League 2008: 19,714

Kawasaki Frontale
nickname: the Dolphins
Fans group: Blue Friends
Found: 1955 as Fujitsu S.C
Professionalism: 1997
Asian Performance:
ACL 2007: Quarter-Finals
Stadium: Todoroki Athletics Stadium (Capacity: 25,000)
Average home attendance in J-League 2008: 17,565

Nagoya Grampus
nickname: Noble Barbarians
Found: 1939 as Toyota Motor S.C.
Professionalism: 1993
Emperor's Cup Winners(2): 1995,1999
Asian Performance:
ACWC 96/97: Runners-up
ACWC 00/01: Quarter-Finals
Stadium: Mizuho Athletic Stadium (Capacity: 27,000)
Toyota Soccer Stadium (Capacity: 45,000)
Average home attendance in J-League 2008: 16,555

Suwon Samsung Bluewings
nickname: Bluewings
Fans group: Grand Bleu
Found: 1996
League Champions(4): 1998,1999,2004 & 2008
FA Cup Winners(1): 2002
League Cup winners(5): 1999,2000,2001,2005,2008
Asian Performance:
ACWC 98/99: Runners-up
ACC 00/01: Champions
ACC 01/02: Champions
ACL 2005: Group Stage
East Asian Club Championship 2005: Champions
Stadium: Big Bird Stadium (Capacity: 43,288)
Average home attendance in K-League 2008: 25,048

FC Seoul
Fans group: Suhoshin (Guardian Spirit)
Found: 1983 as Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso
League Champions(3): 1985,1990,2000
FA Cup Winners(2): 1998,2006
Asian Performance:
ACWC 99/00: Quarter-Finals
ACC 01/02: Runners-up
Stadium: Seoul World Cup Stadium (Capacity: 68,476)
Average home attendance in K-League 2008: 22,420

Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i
Fans group: Cheo-Yong Warrior
Found: 1983
League Champions(2): 1996,2005
League Cup winners(4): 1986,1995,1998,2007
Asian Performance:
ACC 98/99: Round of 16
ACL 2006: Semi-Final
East Asian Club Championship 2006: Champions
Stadium: Big Crown Stadium (Capacity: 44,466)
Average home attendance in K-League 2008: 10,266

Shandong Luneng Taishan
nickname: Taishan (the name of a mountain near Jinan)
Fans group: Orange Flame
Found: 1956 as Shandong Provincial team
League Champions(3): 1999,2006 & 2008
FA Cup Winners(4): 1995,1999,2004 & 2006
CSL League Cup winners(1): 2004
Asian Performance:
ACC 00/01: Quarter-Final
ACL 2005: Quarter-Final
ACL 2007: Group Stage (Group Runner-ups)
Stadium: Shandong Stadium (Capacity: 43,700)
Average home attendance in CSL 2008: 26,501

Shanghai Shenhua United
nickname: Shenhua (Flower of Shanghai)
Fans group: Blue Devil
Found: 1950 as East China
Professionalism: 1993
League Champions(4): 1961,1962,1995 & 2003
FA Cup Winners(3): 1956,1991 & 1998
Asian Performance
ACC 96/97: Second Round
ACWC 99/00: Second Round
ACL 2003: Group Stage (3rd in group)
ACL 2004: Group Stage (3rd in group)
ACL 2006: Quarter-Final
ACL 2007: Group Stage (4th in group)
East Asian Club Championship 2007: Champions
Stadium:
Hongkou Soccer Stadium (Capacity 33,060)
Yuanshen Stadium (Capacity 16,000)
Average Home Attendance in CSL 2008: 11,350

Beijing Guo'an
nickname: Imperial Guard or The Guards
Fans Group: the Guards; Green Hurricane
Found 1956 as Beijing Youth
Professionalism: 1992
League Champions(7): 1956,1957,1958,1963,1973,1982 & 1984
FA Cup Winners(4): 1985,1996,1997 & 2003
Asian Performance:
ACWC 97/98: 3rd place
ACWC 98/99: 2nd Round
ACL 2008: Group Stage (Group Runner-ups)
Stadium
this season:Fengtai Stadium (Capacity: 31,000 this season)
Starts from next season: national Olympic Sports Center (Capacity 36,288)
Average Home Attendance in CSL 2008: 14,641

Tianjin Teda
nickname: Jinmen Tiger
Fans Group: Bohai sea Storms
Founded: 1957 as Tianjin City
Professionalism: 1993
League Champions(2): 1960 & 1980
FA Cup Winners(1): 1960
Stadium:
Teda Soccer stadium (Capacity: 37,450)
Average attendance in CSL 2008: 15,004

 

[dru]

Hate the running tracks at Kawasaki Frontale, Shandong Luneng Taishan and Beijing Guo'an,

my choice purely on grounds so far would be Nagoya, Suwon and Tianjin Teda

 

[graaant]

Shit, Dru!
Awesome thread!

I can't wait for ACL, would love to travel over for a game or two!

 

[dru]

Shit, Dru!
Awesome thread!

I can't wait for ACL, would love to travel over for a game or two!

It's getting close so needs to be done. I think the Korean FA cup is decided in about two weeks time and the Emperor's cup is new years day.

Talk to Serious about the cheaper way to do these games grant.

Draw for the group stages is 7th of January then the real planning can start.

 

[Redline]

I watched the ACL wrap up on SBS....Urawa are dead last in the J League. wow they fell quickly.

 

[marinermick]

Shit, Dru!
Awesome thread!

I can't wait for ACL, would love to travel over for a game or two!

It's getting close so needs to be done. I think the Korean FA cup is decided in about two weeks time and the Emperor's cup is new years day.

Talk to Serious about the cheaper way to do these games grant.

Draw for the group stages is 7th of January then the real planning can start.

woot, level 5 draw party i hear

one week after nye

 

[serious14]

woot, level 5 draw party i hear

one week after nye

Gosh the walls are thin in this place. 

 

[David Votoupal]

Not dead last, but Urawa got smashed 6-1 at home by Yokohama F. Marinos They've fallen to 7th while Gamba finished 8th.

 

[Omni]

YOKOHAMA FC MARINOS!!!! Hey, if I'm moving out next year I'm going to want the cheapest away trip I can get (that's if I can even manage that), although I do have to get frequent flyer miles up with United (Star Alliance)

 

[Sym]

Marinators boat ftw.

 

[samurai]

I am a Japanese and lived in Wyee for 2 years so I am really excited about Mariners coming to Japan next year. Kashima, Kawasaki and Nagoya are entitled to qualify ACL and on January 1, our emperor cup final takes place. the winner automatically qualify ACL so 4 Japanese teams take part in the ACL. It means Mariners have to be a same group stage with one of 4 Japanese teams.
From Sydney, Qantas has direct flights to Narita(Tokyo) and From Gold Coast, Jet star has direct flights to Tokyo and Osaka. I think Jet star is cheaper than Qantas. Kawasaki is next to Tokyo so no problem but Kashima is quite far from Narita( takes 4 hours) as well as Nagoya.
Anyway I look forward to seeing Marinators in Japan.
I visited to Australia 5 times a year and this year, I watched F3 Derby and a game in Sydney on September 1.

 

[marinermick]

I am a Japanese and lived in Wyee for 2 years so I am really excited about Mariners coming to Japan next year. Kashima, Kawasaki and Nagoya are entitled to qualify ACL and on January 1, our emperor cup final takes place. the winner automatically qualify ACL so 4 Japanese teams take part in the ACL. It means Mariners have to be a same group stage with one of 4 Japanese teams.
From Sydney, Qantas has direct flights to Narita(Tokyo) and From Gold Coast, Jet star has direct flights to Tokyo and Osaka. I think Jet star is cheaper than Qantas. Kawasaki is next to Tokyo so no problem but Kashima is quite far from Narita( takes 4 hours) as well as Nagoya.
Anyway I look forward to seeing Marinators in Japan.
I visited to Australia 5 times a year and this year, I watched F3 Derby and a game in Sydney on September 1.

you didn't play for avoca did you?

 

[Blair]

I am a Japanese and lived in Wyee for 2 years so I am really excited about Mariners coming to Japan next year. Kashima, Kawasaki and Nagoya are entitled to qualify ACL and on January 1, our emperor cup final takes place. the winner automatically qualify ACL so 4 Japanese teams take part in the ACL. It means Mariners have to be a same group stage with one of 4 Japanese teams.
From Sydney, Qantas has direct flights to Narita(Tokyo) and From Gold Coast, Jet star has direct flights to Tokyo and Osaka. I think Jet star is cheaper than Qantas. Kawasaki is next to Tokyo so no problem but Kashima is quite far from Narita( takes 4 hours) as well as Nagoya.
Anyway I look forward to seeing Marinators in Japan.
I visited to Australia 5 times a year and this year, I watched F3 Derby and a game in Sydney on September 1.

Great to see we have international friends but WYEE you poor fella haveing to live there. I live in Morisset and Wyee is the joke of the whole area did you go to Morisset high?

 

[Gopher of Pern]

I am a Japanese and lived in Wyee for 2 years so I am really excited about Mariners coming to Japan next year. Kashima, Kawasaki and Nagoya are entitled to qualify ACL and on January 1, our emperor cup final takes place. the winner automatically qualify ACL so 4 Japanese teams take part in the ACL. It means Mariners have to be a same group stage with one of 4 Japanese teams.
From Sydney, Qantas has direct flights to Narita(Tokyo) and From Gold Coast, Jet star has direct flights to Tokyo and Osaka. I think Jet star is cheaper than Qantas. Kawasaki is next to Tokyo so no problem but Kashima is quite far from Narita( takes 4 hours) as well as Nagoya.
Anyway I look forward to seeing Marinators in Japan.
I visited to Australia 5 times a year and this year, I watched F3 Derby and a game in Sydney on September 1.

you didn't play for avoca did you?

Nah he wasn't one of them! They lived in Sydney, we just had good connections!

 

[serious14]

Interesting that their Cup Final is on New Years Day.

 

[fedelta]

chinese new year different?

 

[serious14]

Well, this is the Japanese Cup, so not sure that counts...... 

But he said the Cup Final takes place on January 1.

 

[fedelta]

should have read thread first
apologies

The Japanese celebrate New Year's Day on January 1 each year.