VAN PERSIE TO BE IN MELBOURNE FOR ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

If rumours are true, Robin Van Persie is set to make his Asian Champions League debut this February in Melbourne. The Dutch star is said to be on his way to Shanghai SIPG who will likely qualify for Group G of the ACL. Group G includes Melbourne Victory, Gamba Osaka and Suwon Samsung Bluewings.

Currently contracted to Turkish club Fenebahce, Van Persie will head to the Sven Goran Eriksson managed outfit and play in the 2016 Chinese Super League. 

The Chinese Super League continues to go from strength to strength, recruiting big name players and managers from Europe that other leagues in Asia can only dream of.

If all the stars align, Shanghai SIPG will meet Melbourne Victory on February 24th. But first the Chinese club will need to defeat the winner of Muangthong United (Thailand) and Johor (Malaysia) who play an Asian Champions League play-off on 2nd February. 

SYDNEY FC TO HOST J-LEAGUE GIANTS URAWA REDS IN ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Sydney FC & Urawa Reds set to meet on 19/04/2016

The 2016 Asian Champions League group placings have finally been determined. Sydney FC find themselves in the group of death, facing Asian Champions Guangzhou Evergrande and Japan's Urawa Reds plus a play-off winner most likely to be ACL regulars Pohang Steelers.

Sydney FC will host the famed Urawa Reds on 19th April, 2016. By that stage of the competition (the 5th match) it's possible the two teams will be scrapping for the second qualifying spot behind Guangzhou Evergrande. 

For the uneducated, Urawa are the J-League's most supported team, regularly attracting more than 40,000 to club fixtures. Sadly for those loyal fans the Reds have often raised hopes only to fall short of silverware. 

The year 2015 was another such year for Urawa fans, as the Saitama club lit up the J-League with a dominant 1st Stage win only to crumble in the finals series. The Reds then went on to play bridesmaid in the Emperor's Cup Final on New Year's Day, despite starting favourites against old foes Gamba Osaka.

For Sydney FC, the 2016 ACL will be just their third appearance in the tournament. Previously the Sky Blues finished 2nd in their group (2007) however, that was in a time when qualification for the knockout stage required winning your group. Ironically Sydney FC's group included Urawa Reds back in 2007, and the two played out a nil-all draw in Saitama for the last game of the group phase. The draw denying Sydney FC the chance to advance, while Urawa went on to win the tournament. 

In other Champions League news Melbourne Victory are set to host Gamba Osaka in the last game of the group stage on 3rd May. Before that however, Kevin Muscat's men will face off against a play-off winner most likely to be Shanghai East Asia, managed by one Sven Goran Eriksson. Melbourne's other group opponent is Suwon Samsung Bluewings of South Korea. 

Australia's Adelaide United will have their work cut out for them in the Asian Champions League as they're forced to go through play-offs before enter the competition proper. The Reds - who have found a patch of form in the A-League - will need to beat Chinese club Shandong Luneng before joining a group including Sanfrecce Hiroshima, FC Seoul and dominant Thai champions Buriram United. 

EMPEROR'S CUP FINALISTS DECIDED

Urawa Reds vs Gamba Osaka in Emperor's Cup Final

Old rivalries will be renewed in the Emperor's Cup Final, when Urawa Reds face off against Gamba Osaka on New Year's Day. The Reds will be looking to make up for their finals football failings, after a promising start to the J-League season ended in tears earlier in December.

The Saitama (just north of Tokyo) based club stumbled through their semi final with Kashiwa Reysol via a 117th minute winner courtesy of Tadanari Lee. Urawa had previously knocked off quarter final opponent Vissel Kobe 3-0. The Reds picked up three first half goals in that fixture on December 26th, however, their December 29th fixture was more taxing.

Gamba Osaka's path through the quarter finals and into the final has been less troublesome. On Saturday, 26th December, Gamba got home 3-1 over Sagan Tosu, while three days later they gave the J-League champions a footballing lesson.

Inspired by another Takashi Usami brace (Usami scored twice v Sagan Tosu), Gamba demolished Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3-0. It was sweet revenge for the Osaka club who were runners up to Hiroshima in the J-League's two legged Championship Final just weeks earlier.

Hiroshima were no doubt suffering burnout. The 'purple archers' had recently won the Championship Final, before playing four matches at the FIFA World Club Cup, where they finished a respectable third.

THE FINAL

In today's final however, it's Urawa who will most likely be feeling the effects of fatigue after their 120 minute semi final with Kashiwa. In order to win the Emperor's Cup, the Reds will have to alter the 'head to head' history of this fixture.

In 2015 the teams met four times, and Gamba Osaka were victors on three occasions. The most recent being the J-League Championship Semi Final on 28th November.

Urawa's influential midfielder Yosuke Kashiwagi is in doubt also after his 39th minute injury substitution against Kashiwa.

The above factors make it hard for us to envisage a win for the Reds however, bookmakers have the Kanto club as favourites. Along with bragging rights the reward for today's winner is a place in Asian Champions League Group G with Melbourne Victory (Aust.) and the likes of Suwon Bluewings (Sth Korea). The loser will slot into Group H with Guangzhou Evergrande and Sydney FC. 

ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW COMPLETED FOR 2016

The 2016 Asian Champions League draw has been completed though there are still many unknowns. On the East side including clubs from South Korea, Japan, China and Australia, there are some headline matches already penned in.

Asian Champions League Group Stage Draw 2016

In Group G Australia’s number one ranked team Melbourne Victory will line up against Suwon Samsung Bluewings of South Korea. Suwon finished second to a dominant Jeonbuk in the K-League but the Bluewings are one of the best supported clubs in South Korea.

In Group H reigning champions Guangzhou Evergrande will travel to Sydney. The Felip Scolari managed outfit are currently preparing for the Club World Cup in Japan, but from February 2016 they’ll be busy defending their Asian Champions League title. 

Asian Champions League Group Stage Draw 2016

The Group H draw will have Sydney FC manager Graham Arnold licking his lips. Arnold has proved himself consistently successful in Australia however, his foray into J-League management was a disaster. After leaving Central Coast Mariners as a champion Arnold took up a post at Vegalta Sendai, only to walk away from the role when senior players stonewalled any new policies he looked to implement. 

Meanwhile in Group E, Jeonbuk look to have been rewarded for their total dominance in the K-League. They’ve been drawn alongside China’s FA Cup winners Jiangsu Sainty, Vietnam’s Binh Duong and a play off winner from Thailand, Myanmar or Japan. 

Though on paper Jeonbuk’s draw looks a cake walk their have been rumours of Jiangsu Sainty going on an off season spending spree, which would likely make things a little more difficult. Also in Group E, there is a strong likelihood that Japan’s Gamba Osaka will join Jeonbuk, the team that eliminated them in the 2015 competition. 

Asian Champions League Group Stage Draw 2016

As Gamba Osaka are still alive in the Emperors Cup, they’re group draw cannot be finalised. Unfortunately, the J-League has everyone in the dark as to who is their 2nd, 3rd and 4th elected teams. 

Finally in Group F there are Sanfrecce Hiroshima, FC Seoul and Buriram United. Hiroshima were recently crowned champions of Japan after winning a two legged final against Gamba. The 'purple archers' will be looking to improve upon previous efforts, as will Thailand's Buriram who crashed out after an impressive start to the Group Stage in 2015. 

Asian Champions League Group Stage Draw 2016

Australia's Adelaide United will likely play China's Shandong Luneng in a play-off for the final position in Group F.

GAMBA OSAKA INTO FINALS AS FC TOKYO DRAWS A BLANK

Gamba Osaka has qualified for the 2016 Asian Champions League and resuscitated their J-League title hopes with a 4-0 drubbing of relegated Montedio Yamagata.

Gamba will now meet Urawa Reds next Saturday to decide who will challenge Sanfrecce Hiroshima over two legs to decide the J-League Champions.

On the final day of the regular season FC Tokyo were in position to qualify for the finals series but a draw with Sagan Tosu meant Gamba swept into 3rd place via a 4-0 win, and superior goal difference. The 'Gas Men' had set the league ablaze in the first stage with the assistance of striker Yoshinori Muto, but his departure to Germany left a void that could not be filled.

FC Tokyo dominated all the stats on the final day but couldn't find that precious goal. Once again Socceroo Nathan Burns was a spectator as the red and blue racked up eleven shots to five and ten corners to three.

On the other hand Gamba Osaka simply got the job done. Their first goal didn't come easy, but once the goal was breached, the floodgates crashed open. Kotaro Omori picked up his brace in the 61st and 63rd minute. A minute later Shun Nagasawa secured victory with a header, in only his third appearance for the club. Finally, defender Koki Yonekura drove a nail into the relegated Yamagata coffin with a fourth goal in the 66th minute.

Albirex Niigata fans filled the away end at Kashiwa. 

KASHIWA v NIIGATA

Meanwhile, in one of the many dead rubbers on final day, Kashiwa and Niigata played out a 1-1 draw. The northerners had come in large numbers to the nation's capital and Ibusuki's 81st minute equaliser was just reward for the fans and players alike.

Kashiwa had gone into cruise mode after an own goal had them ahead in the 24th minute. It was not until Ibusuki was shoved in the back and awarded a penalty that the 'Sun Kings' awoke from their slumber. They rallied late but there would be no winner. A result that summed up both teams' seasons.

Despite the draw and 15th placed finish, Niigata manager Masaaki Yanigishita left the club on good terms. Fans shouted his name and cheered as he returned from the dressing rooms for a solo cheerio to the loyal Albirex Niigata fans. Few will forget his arrival and saviour of the club in 2012, when he steered the club clear of relegation on the final day.

Masaaki Yanagishita watches over Niigata for the last time.

RELEGATION

The J-League will say goodbye to Shimizu S-Pulse this season. The J-League foundation club will be relegated to J2 for the first time in their history. After sacking Afshin Ghotbi last season, the team continued to use managers as scapegoats this year. Katsuki Oenoki was axed in August but there was no saving the Shizuokans.

Midfielder Takuya Honda gave this honest reflection, to the Japan Times, "We changed managers again this season, but if the players are good enough than it doesn't matter who the manager is."

Along with Shimzu S-Pulse, Matsumoto Yamaga and Montedio Yamagata will return to J2. The pair failed to cope with the standard of the Japanese top flight after promotion just this season. Though they struggled to keep pace with the playing standard, Matsumoto's fans were a definite highlight and it their green army will no doubt be back in J1 soon.

At this moment in time it's only Omiya Ardija who are assured of promotion from J2. Battling it out for the other automatic promotion place are Jubilo Iwata and Avispa Fukuoka. Scout out a live stream or online betting account to watch tomorrow's action unfold. 

GUANGZHOU EVERGRANDE CHASING MORE SILVERWARE IN ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

Evergrande Taobao - not shy about being the best forever.

Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao have already won a fifth Chinese Super League title in a row, but tonight they look to add a second Asian Champions League crown to their bursting trophy cabinet.

The team from the south of China have put themselves in the box seat for the two legged ACL Final, after battling out a 0-0 draw with hosts Al Ahli in the first leg. However, they're most likely to take the field without star striker Ricardo Goulart in the decider.

Goulart's importance can't be underestimated as he tops a number of the ACL's most important stats. The Brazilian is leading goalscorer (8), leading shot taker (33) and third highest ranked creative player.

Though Evergrande Taobao can boast numerous internationals and a bevy of Chinese National Team players, Goulart's goal scoring prowess will surely be missed. To counter that, fans will put currency in the team's irrepressible manager Felipe Scolari.

Scolari has weaved a magic wand over the team since arriving, and he remains undefeated at the helm of Evergrande. He spoke at the pre match press conference regarding the significance of the match to him, "I haven't been in China for so long. But I believe this game is important for both the players and myself, and I would like to grab the next championship of my career." The Brazilian gave little indication of the team's tactics.

The challenge for Evergrande though will be to find a goal without Goulart. They have many creative outlets in, Paulinho, Elkeson and Huang Bowen, however their opponents Al Ahli can capture the title with as little as a 1-1 draw over the 90 minutes. This will no doubt affect the mindset of the usually attack minded Chinese club.

For their part Al Ahli are appearing in their first continental final. It is in fact the first time the UAE club advanced beyond the group stage of the Asian Champions League. Amongst their squad is South Korean, Kwon, Kyung-Won and Brazilian Lima.

Lima has scored in four of the five ACL games he has played for Al Ahli. Kwon Kyung-Won has plenty of big game experience having played with mighty K-League outfit Jeonbuk in their 2013 and 2014 campaigns. Perhaps though the home grown talent Ahmed Khalil will pose the biggest threat to Guangzhou Evergrande, as the 24 year old has slotted six goals in the tournament so far.

For punters it's a hard one to pick as a number of unknowns are in play. Guangzhou without Goulart, Al Ahli without regular defender Abdelaziz Hussain, who inexplicably lost the plot and received a red card in the dying minutes of the first leg.

Asked whether he felt his Chinese teammates would be suffering mentally after a disappointing draw with Hong Kong on the international scene, Zheng Zhi's response was that of a winner.

"We may suffer from that game physically and psychologically, but we're all professionals. We can recover very well. I'm confident."

Story compiled by Tony Yang & Lew Dub.

East Asian Soccer writer Tony Yang meets the prize.

JAPAN'S TWO STAGE SYSTEM DISCUSSED

This year the J-League has reverted to a two stage format to decide who is Japanese soccer's champion club side. A similar two stage system had been in place during the 90s and early 2000s, but the new system incorporates a convoluted mathematical process which determines if just 3 teams or a possible 5 teams contests the finals.  

Cutting through the many permutations, this year it appears there will be just three teams in the finals. Making up those teams will be Urawa (1st Stage winners), Hiroshima (likely 2nd Stage winners) and Gamba Osaka the likely 3rd placegetters in the regular season. Here, the term regular season applies to the full 34 matches rather than the 17 matches that constitutes a stage.

While many argue that an end of season finals series is an unfair way to decide a champion, East Asian Soccer disagrees. Most who are opponents of finals systems are caught up in nostalgic reminiscence of 'what football is meant to be.'

They argue that it's unfair on the team that slogged away all season and won the most matches. However, they're forgetting that all teams and players involved in competitions with end of season finals are aware at the beginning of the season, that the champion is not decided in a 'first past the post' manner. Unfair, maybe if you didn't read the rules. 

In 2015 the 1st Stage winner was Urawa Reds. We're now just two matches from the end of the 2nd Stage, and Hiroshima has a handy three point lead, buttressed by a superior goal difference over closest opponent Kashima. 

2015 J-League 2nd Stage Ladder with two matches to play.

Even if the unthinkable happened and Hiroshima failed to take three points from their last two matches (and Kashima won both or took four points), the 'purple archers' would still be involved in the finals series as the confusing system allows for 2nd and 3rd from the entire/regular season to participate in the finals also.

Looking at the regular season ladder, Sanfrecce Hiroshima are guaranteed a place in the finals, Kashima are not. The only route to the finals for Kashima is via a 2nd Stage winner ticket. The Antlers will need to take four points more than Hiroshima over the last two matches. 

2015 J-League Regular Season Ladder after 32 rounds.

2014 treble winners Gamba Osaka are far from assured a place in the finals either. Their only route to the finals is via a 3rd place finish on the regular season ladder. 

The Kansai club will have their work cut out for them, facing Hiroshima and Yamagata, while the chasing FC Tokyo meets Kashiwa and Sagan Tosu. 

Gamba will also be battling demons after recent losses in both the league cup and Asian Champions League against Kashima and Guangzhou Evergrande respectively. FC Tokyo could well collect all six points as opponents Kashiwa are resigned to a mid-table finish and Sagan Tosu are safe from relegation with nothing else to play for. 

All Round 33 fixtures kick off at 2pm Japan time.