Crunch openers as AFC Champions League kicks off

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SINGAPORE, Feb 22, 2010 (AFP) - Korea's Pohang Steelers open their AFC Champions League defence with a tough encounter against Adelaide United this week while Saudi powerhouse Al Ittihad face Luiz Felipe Scolari's Bunyodkur.

Asia's top club competition gets underway with eight matches on Tuesday and another eight on Wednesday as the battle starts to reach the final in November, with the winner assured of a place in the FIFA Club World Cup.

It has been a troubled close-season for Pohang with long-time Brazilian boss Sergio Farias leaving them for a lucrative job with Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli, while their Brazilian top scorer Denilson moved to Uzbekistan's Bunyodkor.

Much will depend on former Fulham star Seol Ki-Hyeon as they line up in Australia against an Adelaide side on Wednesday boosted by the recent signing of Dutch striker Sergio van Dijk on a short-term deal.

Van Dijk has been signed on a six-month contract to incorporate the AFC Champions League group stage and a possible round of 16 appearance.

"We've signed Sergio for the Asian Champions League which is great, he'll certainly bolster and strengthen our squad," Reds' coach Aurelio Vidmar said.

"He's got a fair bit of experience and he certainly knows where the goals are, so we're looking forward to his inclusion and doing his very best for us in the Champions League."

Former Chelsea boss Scolari is confident Bunyodkor can make an impact in this season's tournament after their disappointment last year when they were knocked out by Pohang in the quarter-finals.

The Brazilian has been putting his players through their paces at a training camp in Dubai.

"The camps in Dubai helped players increase their tactical skills and physical condition and I am satisfied with their performance," he said.

"Our players just returned from the vacation and we are step by step getting them into their top physical condition."

Scolari knows his team will have their work cut out Tuesday against Al Ittihad, who are two-time champions and made the final last year.

In other games, Chinese teams will try to put the corruption scandal that has rocked China aside when they get their campaigns underway.

Beijing Guoan take on Melbourne Victory while Champions League newcomers Henan Jianye face Singapore Armed Forces.

Shandong Luneng travel to Japan to play Sanfrecce Hiroshima while Changchun Yatai are away to Kashima Antlers.

Japan's J-League is widely regarded as the best in Asia and there are four teams from the country in Champions League action with Gamba Osaka facing Korea's Suwon Bluewings and Kawaskai Frontale against another Korean outfit, Seongnam Ilhwa.