Melbourne Victory's AFC Champions League hopes ended by Daegu

Melbourne Victory lost 4-0 to Daegu FC to confirm their Asian Champions League fate.

Victory, who sent a second-string side to South Korea as they focus on Sunday's A-League semifinal, were on track to be honourable losers until a late flurry.

Edgar, Jeong Tae-wook, Kim Dae-won and Jung Seon-ho scored the goals to give the South Korean side a comfortable win on Wednesday and condemn Victory to a last-placed finish in their group.

Given Victory's young squad in action, it was no surprise.

Muscat handed Ben Carrigan, 20, a debut, and 19-year-old striker Jack Palazzolo plus 18-year-old midfielder Rahmat Akbari their first ACL starts.

Birkan Kirdar, 17, already Victory's youngest ever player when he turned out in the competition last year, and 18-year-old Aaron Anderson, were also used off the bench.

A string of other fringe players were entrusted with representing the club, with Matt Acton acting as captain.

Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

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Unfortunately for Victory, Daegu scored from their first trip into the box.

On eight minutes, a dubious penalty was awarded for Josh Hope's tackle on Kim Dae-won before Brazilian star Edgar converted the spot kick.

Victory's best chance of the match came in first-half stoppage time, when Hope brilliantly released Palazzolo only for the teen's shot to be saved.

Kenny Athiu and substitute Elvis Kamsoba also had efforts denied by South Korean national team goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo.

Jeong scored in the 53rd minute after Acton spilled the defender's bullet header.

Kim struck the best goal of the game, a curling effort from outside the box, on 80 minutes and Jung made the game safe three minutes later.

"It was a tough game for us," Muscat said.

"Conceding the early goal made it very, very difficult for us.

"There were a lot of players that will gain some very good experience from that however we are disappointed not to get something out of the game."

In Group F's other clash on Wednesday night, Sanfrecce Hiroshima sealed progress with a 1-0 win over Guangzhou.

The Chinese Super League club must now defeat Daegu on May 22 they are to climb out of the group.

On the same night, a few days after the A-League grand final, Victory will host Sanfrecce in a limp end to their campaign; and Carl Valeri's final professional match.

The lacklustre performance of both Victory and Sydney FC, which were eliminated on Tuesday night, means the last seven group stage campaigns by A-League clubs have ended in failure.