Brisbane: Brisbane Roar’s 2017 AFC Champions League future is on the line as defeat to Group E leaders Kashima Antlers at Brisbane Stadium on Wednesday could see the Australian side eliminated with two games to spare.
After drawing their opening game at home to Muangthong United, Brisbane have suffered 6-0 and 3-0 reversals to Ulsan Hyundai and Kashima respectively. Currently bottom of the Group E standings and the only team yet to score on the continent, the Australian side need a win to have any realistic hope of reaching the last 16.
Kashima lost on the road to Muangthong at the end of February but strong home form sees the Japanese side top of the table and a win would leave them on the brink of progressing to the knockout stages. Both teams suffered domestic defeats at the weekend, with Brisbane losing 3-1 at Perth Glory in the A-League and Kashima on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline at home to Cerezo Osaka in the J.League.
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com