Grp H preview: Viet, Thai clubs add spice says Sivaji

Former ACL participants such as Binh Duong have upped the level of this year's AFC Cup says Home United coach PN Sivaji. (WSG/Getty Images)

Home United coach PN Sivaji believes that the AFC Cup has been enhanced by the addition of Vietnamese and Thai clubs and is relishing the challenge they will pose during the group stage.

The Singapore club reached the quarter-finals last season but face a tougher road to the knockout stage this year after being drawn in Group H with the league champions of Vietnam, Thailand and the Maldives.

“It is definitely a step up in standard. I think that the level of competition last year was not as high as this year as a lot of teams have played in the AFC Champions League the past couple of seasons,” said Sivaji, whose side face Vietnam’s Binh Duong at Jalan Besar Stadium on Tuesday.

“We know about Binh Duong, they are a very strong side and worthy champions of the Vietnamese league and they have good foreign players.

“For our players, it is a chance to step up to the next level. We know that the level of competition is higher and the players are looking forward to the challenge.”

Binh Duong managed only one point in the ACL last year but put up some good displays including a narrow loss to eventual finalists Adelaide United.

However, Portuguese coach Francisco Vital downplayed the potential impact of their continental experience.

“Sometimes it is important but it is not enough to say that we can go out and win because we have experience at that level,” he said.

“Home United also have experience in the AFC Cup and they have many players who have played for their national team. So I think the difference in experience between the teams does not matter that much.”

Tuesday’s other Group H game sees Valencia hosting Thailand’s Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) in the Maldives.

PEA missed out on the ACL following a 4-1 loss to Singapore Armed Forces in last month’s play-offs and will be looking to make amends.

They have had little time to prepare with the majority of their squad only arriving in Male on Monday following last weekend’s 1-0 loss to Osotspa in the Thai league.

Coach Phongsuk Sampahantsit feels that his team are ready though.

“The only worry for me is that the team might not recover from their travel. We finished the match quite late and we could not get the flight to come here,” he said.

“However, we have prepared very well for the match against Valencia. We just started our league two days ago, but we have been playing matches against our local teams for the last two months.”