Melbourne Victory recruit Tom Pondeljak has been promoted to the club’s AFC Champions League 2008 squad after receiving approval from the Asian Football Confederation to replace Grant Brebner, who was ruled out of the Group Stage with a groin injury.
Melbourne Victory recruit Tom Pondeljak has been promoted to the club-s AFC Champions League 2008 squad after receiving approval from the Asian Football Confederation to replace Grant Brebner, who was ruled out of the Group Stage with a groin injury.
However, Pondeljak, who joined Victory from the Central Coast Mariners last month, is unlikely to feature in Victory-s historic fist AFC Champions League match against Korea Republic-s Chunnam Dragons at Telstra Dome this Wednesday.
“Getting called in to play in the AFC Champions League is a massive boost,” Pondeljak said.
“In 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.”
Pondeljak was signed by Victory after player registrations for the AFC Champions League 2008 closed in February, but was called on after Brebner failed to overcome a persistent groin injury.
Victory will host Chunnam in its opening AFC Champions League 2008 match at Telstra Dome this Wednesday, 12 March (kick off 7:30pm).
Tickets are available from any Ticketmaster outlet, by calling 136 100 or through ticketmaster.com.au.
