It was an unhappy opening matchday for the three Australian clubs in the ACL, with the Mariners, Wanderers and Victory all succumbing to a two-goal margin.
It was an unhappy opening matchday for the three Australian clubs competing in the AFC Champions League, with the Mariners, Wanderers and Victory all succumbing to a two-goal margin.
The Mariners kicked things off for the Aussie contingent in Korea Republic on Tuesday night, with Phil Moss- men going down 2-0 to FC Seoul.
Last year's finalists scored in each half to hand the Central Coast their fifth straight defeat in all competitions and claim victory in the Group F opener at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
A dubious penalty awarded against Josh Rose and scored by Spaniard Osmar in the first half set the Korean outfit on their way. 21-year-old Yun Il-lok sealed the points in the second half, to extend FC Seoul's home record to an impressive 11 matches unbeaten in the ACL.
Western Sydney hosted Ulsan Hyundai at a rain-soaked Pirtek Stadium last night, in what was the Wanderers maiden appearance in the AFC Champions League.
Brendan Santalab struck one of the fastest goals in the competition-s history but it wasn't enough as Western Sydney-s first foray into Asia ended in a 3-1 loss.
Santalab struck after just 43 seconds to give Tony Popovic-s side a dream start before they were taught a harsh-lesson by the 2012 ACL champions.
So resolute and stingy throughout their Hyundai A-League life, the home side were guilty of three poor defensive errors which handed the result to Ulsan.
Melbourne Victory gave up a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 away to Guangzhou Evergrande overnight, completing a miserable opening round in the ACL for Australian clubs.
Victory appeared on course to restore some national pride in Asia when they led 2-0 at half-time away to competition holders Evergrande, courtesy of goals from the unlikely figures of Pablo Contreras and Leigh Broxham.
But the reigning Chinese Super League champions asserted their dominance in the second half at Tianhe Stadium, as a brace from star signing Alessandro Diamanti, together with goals from Elkeson and Huang Bowen, secured a comprehensive comeback win for the home side.
The three Australian clubs will endeavour to secure their first 2014 AFC Champions League points in the in a fortnight-s time, as their respective coaches negotiate a busy schedule.
The Mariners will welcome reining J-League title holders Sanfrecce Hiroshima, while Victory will entertain South Korean outfit Jeonbuk Motors. Western Sydney will travel to China to face Guizhou Renhe, with all three clubs backing up to play in Round 23 of the Hyundai A-League that weekend.