S Koreans to meet Aussies in Asian Champions League

South Korea's Asian Champions League entrants both open their campaigns against Australian hopefuls today as the region's premier club competition enters its sixth year.

This year's tournament features 28 clubs from 14 nations, drawn into seven groups of four, although that format is likely to change next year when the competition is revised and expanded.

Only winners of each group progress to September's quarter-finals, where they will be joined by defending champion Urawa Reds of Japan.

With a guaranteed berth in the final eight, Urawa is a strong favorite to lift the crown again, but there will be a strong challenge from other Japanese clubs.

The Kashima Antlers pipped Urawa to the domestic title last December and the five-time Japanese champions started the new J-League season last week with a 4-0 victory over Consadole Sapporo.

Kashima drawn with Beijing Guoan of China, Krung Thai Bank of Thailand and opening day opponents Vietnamese club Nam Dinh.

Gamba Osaka is also looking for a first continental success. Osaka takes on in-form Chonburi FC of Thailand in Group G today, while Melbourne Victory's first ever Asian match is against the Chunnam Dragons of South Korea.

Australian struggled last year, their debut in Asia, and are hoping for a better showing the second time round.

"We're playing at home in front of a massive crowd of 40,000, so we definitely have to win at home and the boys are really pumped up for it," Melbourne defender Steve Pantelidis said ahead of his team's opening Champions League match.

Chunnam Park Hang-seo is without three of his international stars for the game, but feels that his team is up to the encounter despite speculation that Australia coach Pim Verbeek, who formerly steered South Korea, is lending a hand to Melbourne's campaign.

"As he is the Australian coach, Verbeek could do that," Park told local media. "But do you think he knows Chunnam in detail?"

Group E sees another Australia-South Korea matchup, with Adelaide United traveling to face the K-League title-winners and two-time Asian champions the Pohang Steelers.