Melbourne Victory officially welcomed new signings Tando Velaphi and Isaka Cernak today, with the make-up of the club’s 25-man squad for Asia’s premier club competition now finalised.
Melbourne Victory officially welcomed new signings Tando Velaphi and Isaka Cernak today, with the make-up of the club-s 25-man squad for Asia-s premier club competition now finalised.
Since joining Perth from Queensland Roar in 2007, 23 year-old Velaphi made 74 A-League appearances for Glory and was part of Australia-s squad at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He comes to the club as one of the most promising goalkeepers in the country and will provide stiff competition for current custodian Michael Petkovic.
Cernak also made his Hyundai A-League debut for Roar, before moving to Townsville and becoming an integral part of a young and exciting North Queensland Fury outfit this season. The 22 year-old, who has represented Australia at both U-20 and U-23 level, will hope to have an immediate impact during the AFC Champions League.
Melbourne Victory squad for the 2011 AFC Champions League:
1.Michael Petkovic (GK)
2.Kevin Muscat
4.Petar Franjic
5.Surat Sukha
6.Leigh Broxham
7.Matthew Kemp
8.Grant Brebner
10.Archie Thompson
11.Marvin Angulo
12.Rodrigo Vargas
13.Diogo Ferreira
14.Billy Celeski
15.Tom Pondeljak
16.Carlos Hernandez
17.Matthew Foschini
18.Danny Allsopp
19.Isaka Cernak
20.Sebastian Mattei (GK)
21.Robbie Kruse
23.Adrian Leijer (c)
24.Luke Pilkington
25.Luke O’Dea
26.Nick Ansell
27.James Jeggo
30.Tando Velaphi (GK)
Melbourne Victory will face Japanese outfit and former champion, Gamba Osaka, China’s Tianjin Teda and 2010 K-League runners-up, Jeju United in Group E of the AFC Champions League (ACL) 2011.
Following its opening match against Gamba Osaka in Japan next Tuesday, March 1, Melbourne Victory will host Korea-s Jeju United at Docklands on Tuesday, March 15, before consecutive matches against Tianjin Teda on Tuesday, April 5 in China and Wednesday, April 20 at Docklands.
Victory will welcome Gamba Osaka to Docklands on Wednesday, May 4, followed by a potentially decisive trip to Korea Republic for its final Group stage match against Jeju United at Jeju World Cup Stadium on Wednesday, May 11.
Tickets available from Ticketmaster, by calling 136 100 or via ticketmaster.com.au.
