In 2002, after the financial success of the World Cup in
AFC had embarked on a new direction for Asia as it knew the urgent need to re-market Asian football for a global audience thus its discarded the Asian Club Championship and Asian Cup Winners’ Cup; putting all its efforts into launching the AFC Champions League.
Geylang United and Home United were the first
The Eagles were back in Asia, after a four year absence, having won the 2001 S-league title but by 2002 now they were a pale shadow of that incredible team with the nucleus of the championship winning side torn apart after the farce of the 2001
While the Eagles were still strong enough to finish third in both the S-league and
Fortunately, the Eagles had the luck of the draw with them facing
After that, the Eagles were only one qualifying stage away from the group stage of the AFC Champions League but with them drawn against Chinese side
The record had shown S-league clubs meeting Chinese clubs four times in
The record stay intact as
For
Their rookie English coach Jason Withe paid the maximum price for it as he was sacked in mid-season with another Englishman Steve Darby named as his replacement. However, with the short time available to Steve Darby - the squad morale was low from the chaos caused by Jason Withe term in charge - he was not able to work any miracle.
Still, at first sight, when drawn against Hong Kong Treble Champions South China - FA Cup, Senior Challenge Shield and League - there was still a reasonable chance that the Protectors could advance with the Protectors having gained much experience from the last two years playing in Asia and the fact the team have shown they have the desire to compete in Asia.
In the first leg, while the Protectors lost 1-2 at Hong Kong, they got an important away goal from striker Egmar Goncalves and it meant a 1-0 win back in
In the second leg at Bishan, the Protectors looked to be achieving that result as they took the early lead from a Peres De Oliveira goal and with minutes ticking away they looked to be through on the away goal rule. There was until the final five minutes when the Hong Kong side equalized after a lapse in their concentration when a corner was not cleared properly resulting in it being send back and the
The inaugural 2002/03 Asian Champion League was hardly a season of glory as both
2002/03 AFC Champion League – Geylang United
Stage | Home Team | | | Away Team | Date |
Qualifying Second Round, first leg | Geylang United | 3 | 0 | DPMM ( | 6/10/2002 |
Qualifying Second Round, second leg | DPMM ( | 0 | 4 | Geylang United | 23/10/2002 |
Qualifying Third Round, first leg | Shanghai Shenhua ( | 3 | 0 | GeylangUnited | 13/11/2002 |
Qualifying Third Round, second leg | Geylang United | 1 | 2 | Shanghai Shenhua ( | 27/11/2002 |
2002/03 AFC Champion League – Home United
Stage | Home Team | | | Away Team | Date |
Qualifying Second Round, first leg | | 2 | 1 | Home United | 8/10/2002 |
Qualifying Second Round, second leg | Home United | 1 | 1 | | 22/10/2002 |
No comments:
Post a Comment