Get to know a little more about Melbourne Victory’s opponent in the AFC Champions League Preliminary Round 2, Indonesian side Bali United.
Victory will be aiming to qualify for the competition for a third consecutive season, while Bali will be hoping to play in the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
The winner of the tie will face Kashima Antlers in Japan for a place in Group E, alongside China’s Beijing FC and Thailand’s Chiangrai United.
Match details
Melbourne Victory v Bali United
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
Tuesday, January 21
Kick-off: 7:35pm
Members free, tickets $15
We've named our squad for the #ACL2020 qualifiers https://t.co/VtrhIAoboY #MVFC #OurVictory pic.twitter.com/73VMSVAc8P
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) January 16, 2020
How did Bali qualify?
Bali United claimed it’s first Liga 1 title in 2019, finishing 10 points clear of runners-up Persebaya.
As champions of Indonesia, Bali secured a spot in the first round of Champions League qualifying, where they met Tampines Rovers in Singapore.
In an eight-goal thriller and after 120 minutes, Bali defeated the hosts 5-3 – obtaining a place in Preliminary Round Two.
Goals galore. 🇮🇩 Bali United will face 🇦🇺 Melbourne Victory in the Preliminary Round 2!#ACL2020 pic.twitter.com/ysxgG4Lcps
— #ACL (@TheAFCCL) January 14, 2020
Key players
Dutch forward, Melvin Platje netted twice in Bali’s 5-3 win over Tampines Rovers and has scored 20 goals for the club since joining in 2018.
Bali number nine, Ilija Spasojevic scored 16 goals in 31 league appearances for the Liga 1 champions in 2019. However, the 32-year-old missed Bali’s win in Singapore amid speculation over his future.
Club captain, Fadhil Sausu has played over 100 games for Bali United. The defensive midfielder was named in Liga 1’s 2019 Team of the Season, after making 31 league appearances.
Recent form
Despite beating Tampines in Singapore, Bali has lost three of its last five fixtures.
Tampines Rovers 3 – 5 Bali United (AET)
Bali United 0 – 2 Madura United
Arema 3 – 2 Bali United
Bali United 0 – 1 TIRA Perskikabo
Bali United 1 – 1 Persipura
