Central Coast Mariners Face High Stakes in Asian Champions League Elite

Central Coast Mariners Ready for ACL Elite Challenge

With three trophies from last season locked away, the Central Coast Mariners head into their Asian Champions League Elite campaign believing they can mix it with Asia's best. Last season, the Mariners claimed the A-League Men championship, premiership and the second-tier AFC Cup. By finishing top of the ALM table, Mark Jackson's charges qualified for the new ACL Elite competition. In the group stage of the 24-team competition - split initially into 12-team east and west groups - teams play eight games. The Mariners kick off their campaign away against Shandong Taishan at Jinan Olympic Sports Centre on Tuesday night.

Facing Tough Opponents

Central Coast will also play Thai club Buriram United, Kevin Muscat's Shanghai Port, Shanghai Shenhua, Vissel Kobe, Yokohama F. Marinos, Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and Kawasaki Frontale. "It's a really privileged position we're in, to be able to compete with some of Asia's best teams and we want to challenge ourselves all the time," Jackson said. "We want to challenge ourselves against the best and this is the highest competition for us to compete in. This year, we know it's going to be a really big challenge.

• The Mariners traveled to China to prepare for Tuesday night's fixture.
• Jackson noted Shandong were strong opponents.
• The Mariners are determined to juggle their ACL campaign with their ALM title defense.