Changes to the A-League schedule to accommodate Adelaide United’s AFC Champions League Two commitments have angered Brisbane Roar.
Adelaide had been due to start its A-League campaign with a home game against Brisbane at Coopers Stadium on Sunday, October 18.
However, with the Reds having an October 15 Champions League Two clash in Thailand against BG Pathum United, the Adelaide-Brisbane match has been moved to Tuesday, December 15 at 7pm (South Australian time) by the Australian Professional Leagues.
It’s a decision that has upset the Roar, whose desire for the game to be played on Monday, October 19 was rejected by the APL.
“The APL did not adopt this (October 19) option, and the revised date again creates a more demanding schedule for Brisbane Roar later in the season and leaves the club without a match during the round one weekend,” the Roar said in a statement.
“This is the second time in two seasons Brisbane Roar has faced late fixture changes.
“Brisbane Roar respects the APL’s final decision, however, the club wishes to make it unmistakably clear that it strongly rejected the proposed December rescheduling and advocated for the Monday, October 19 alternative, being more than satisfactory for all parties.
“The club will continue to advocate for fixture decisions that fairly balance the needs of all clubs and protect the integrity of the competition.”
While Roar now plays three matches in eight days from December 12 to December 19, the club’s only other game that month is on December 30 at home against Perth Glory, which is followed by a January 2 away clash against Sydney FC.
Adelaide had also been due to meet Wellington Phoenix at Hnry Stadium on Sunday, November 29.
However, with the Reds travelling to Hong Kong for a Champions League Two Group F clash against Tai Po on November 26, their club’s away battle with the Phoenix has been pushed back a week to December 6.
The rescheduling won’t cause any disruptions to other clubs as the Phoenix-Reds battle was already part of a split round schedule to run across late November and early December.
Adelaide opens its Champions League Two campaign with a home game against Tai Po on September 17.
Melbourne Victory’s Champions League Two journey starts on September 16 with an away match against Vietnamese outfit The Cong–Viettel.
Before that, Victory has an Australia Cup semi-final date with Sydney FC next Wednesday night at Jubilee Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Newcastle Jets’ AFC Champions League Elite campaign begins on September 15 in Japan against Kashima Antlers.
The Roar returned this week from a pre-season tour of Indonesia where the Queenslanders suffered embarrassing 4-0 losses to Dewa United and Persija Jakarta.
.