Brazilian Cassio will not travel to Tashkent with the team for the Reds’ opening match of the AFC Champions League 2012 against Bunyodkor.
Adelaide United FC would like to advise that Cassio will not travel to Tashkent with the team for the Reds- opening match of the AFC Champions League 2012 against Bunyodkor. The Club is simply not prepared to put at risk of a potential challenge by Bunyodkor of any result it may achieve on Tuesday night.
The AFC Champions League is a highly prestigious tournament and Adelaide United would never put at risk the high standing it holds in Asia as the most successful Australian club ever in the competition by playing Cassio and then risking a challenge, which in all likelihood would never be made, by a club that Adelaide United has enormous respect and regard for.
For this reason alone the Club has decided to leave Cassio home for this match. Cassio will obviously be available for the club-s following Group Stage match against Gamba Osaka at Hindmarsh Stadium on 20 March 2012.