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Postecoglou unhappy with AFC confusion

SoccerNews in General Soccer News 6 Dec 2012

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Ange Postecoglou says he would contemplate boycotting the AFC Champions League if he was still with former club Brisbane Roar.

The Roar have been deprived direct entry to the group stages of the continental competition despite winning last year’s A-League grand final, after the Asian Football Confederation cut Australia’s allocation from two spots and one play-off place down to one of each.

Premiers Plate winners Central Coast Mariners will inherit the place in next season’s main draw, with the Roar now having to progress through the play-offs to qualify.

A two-time championship-winning coach with Brisbane, the Melbourne Victory boss was fuming that clubs had no direction on what they were playing for.

“I just think it’s confusing. I think every club, every player, every supporter wants their team to win, and to strive for something, and I don’t think it’s clearly defined right now,” Postecoglou said on Thursday.

“I’m not sure who’s supposed to deal with that, usually it’s your own competition that does that.

“I’ve been bemused by the whole thing all week. I’m surprised even Brisbane have taken it lying down to be honest, I wouldn’t have. I’d almost pull out of the comp.

“If I was still at Brisbane, I’d be pushing for it (a boycott).”

Postecoglou said wanted to know what the aim of the A-League season was, so he could set about trying to reach Asian football’s premier club competition.

“My biggest problem with all that is, and it’s been a constant gripe of mine – I just want to know who the champion is,” Postecoglou said.

“We’re in a race, and there’s two different finish lines and everyone’s got an opinion, but in my mind the champion for our league has always been the one that wins our grand final.

“So I am totally bemused as to how we can take somebody else’s definition of that. It’s pretty simple in my mind, I just want to know what competition I’m in, what I’m going for.

“I don’t want to be 78 in a retirement home, having to ring up people to see whether I’ve won something or not.”

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