Australia News
Pondeljak Given Champions League Nod
Midfielder Tom Pondeljak has been given permission to replace the injured Grant Brebner in Melbourne Victory's Asian Champions League squad.
Brebner was ruled out of the Group Stage with a groin injury, and although the move has been approved by the Asian Football Confederation, the former Central Coast Mariners midfielder is unlikely to feature in Victory's historic first AFC Champions League match against Korea Republic's Chunnam Dragons at the Telstra Dome this Wednesday.Pondeljak was signed by the A-League outfit after player registrations for the Asian Champions League closed in February, but was called on after Brebner failed to overcome a persistent groin injury.
"Getting called in to play in the AFC Champions League is a massive boost," said Pondeljak. "Saying that I don't think I am going to be involved on Wednesday night.
"Ernie Merrick has already said I haven't had a training session with the boys and it's going to be a little bit difficult to get all that done before Wednesday.
"Hopefully the boys can do well and get a win."
Copyright (c) 2008 Press Association
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