Reds' ACL path easier with Jeonbuk ousting

Jan 19, 2017 - 6:03 AM Adelaide United are expecting a less troublesome Asian Champions League (ACL) run after the disqualification of their toughest group opponent.

Reigning ACL champions Jeonbuk Motors have been banned from defending their title over the club's involvement with match-fixing, the Asian Football Confederation has announced.

It means the Reds no longer have to face the Korean team with whom Socceroos defender Alex Wilkinson had won the 2014 and 2015 K-League titles.

Guillermo Amor's A-League champions instead will play their Group H replacement Jeju United, who finished third behind second-placed Jeonbuk in the last domestic season.

"It could be easier because they (Jeonbuk) were the last champion," playmaker Marcelo Carrusca said.

"But nothing changes - it's another team."

Jeonbuk's absence by no means signals a walk in the park for the Reds, who still have to compete with Chinese Super League giants Jiangsu Suning for a top-two spot.

Big spenders Jiangsu, the home of Socceroos centre-back Trent Sainsbury, also have Alex Teixeira and Ramires on their books and have been linked to a mind-boggling bid for fellow Brazilian star Diego Costa.

Adelaide's campaign will kick off against a yet-to-be-confirmed playoff winner on February 22 at home.

Carrusca still wasn't sure whether he'd be selected to take part, with only three of the Reds' five foreigners allowed to be included in the squad.

"We are waiting for the list," he said.

"We know there just can be three players there and we have five foreigners so we'll see.

"We fight every day at training to be in the (A-League) first XI; this time we'll fight to be in the Asian Champions League."

Domestically, Carrusca is a chance of starting against Sydney FC on Friday night following James Holland's move to China's Liaoning Whowin.

The star Argentine was left on the bench in last week's 2-1 upset of Melbourne City, but his experience could be vital against the undefeated Sky Blues at Allianz Stadium.

Defender Tarek Elrich returns from suspension while Iacopo La Rocca and George Mells are also back from injury.

Source: AAP