Sydney FC have revealed a 26-man squad which will compete in their 2018 AFC Champions League campaign, starting at home to Suwon Samsung Bluewings next Wednesday night (14th February).
Sydney FC have revealed a 26-man squad which will compete in their 2018 AFC Champions League campaign, starting at home to Suwon Samsung Bluewings next Wednesday night (14th February).
The Sky Blues have named 20 members of the current Hyundai A-League squad, including overseas stars Milos Ninkovic, Adrian Mierzejewski and Bobô, as well as six players from the Sky Blues Foxtel National Youth League side.
Head Coach Graham Arnold said: “I believe we have an excellent squad, a good draw and a great chance of success in the competition.
“Our aim is to go further than we have before and to produce even greater results. It is going to be an exciting journey for the club and one we are looking forward to.”
Under Asian Football Confederation rules Sydney FC may choose only three players whose nationality is from outside the AFC Member States, meaning Dutchman Jordy Buijs and Portugese winger Fabio Ferreira who was signed to play A-League only, will sit out of the initial stage of the tournament.
“All four of our overseas signings (Ninkovic, Bobô, Mierzejewski and Buijs) have been outstanding for us this season and all four deserve to be playing in the tournament,” said Arnold.
“Making this decision has been one of the hardest things I’ve had to do as a coach and it is one of the toughest selections I will ever have to make.
“Jordy is a fantastic player for our club and has been central to our Hyundai A-League and FFA Cup successes over the last year.
“He has a huge part to play in ensuring we continue our domestic dominance and retain our Premiers Plate and Champions trophies.”
Sky Blues defender Jordy Buijs said: “I understand how tough this decision is. I am disappointed, because I had a big drive to play in the Champions League. I am still fully committed to my team mates and I want to help them continue our success this season.
“We have a fantastic squad who will perform to their best in Asia and I will be fully behind them.
“I am still determined to perform in the A-League and win a second Premiers Plate and Championship for my club, my team-mates and most importantly my fans.”
Sydney FC will face Chinese giants Shanghai Shenhua, Japanese club Kashima Antlers as well as Suwon in six group games over the course of the next ten weeks.
The Sky Blues can name up to 30 players in their squad and have included young players Tom Heward-Belle, Jeremy Cox, William Mutch, Patrick Flottman, Marco Tilio and Jackson Bandiera in the 26.
However, the club will be able to update its squad later this year once they progress past the round of 16.
Sydney FC 2018 AFC Champions League Squad:
|
Shirt Number |
Surname |
First Name |
Nationality |
Position |
|
1 |
REDMAYNE |
ANDREW |
AUSTRALIAN |
GOALKEEPER |
|
2 |
CALVER |
AARON |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
3 |
WARLAND |
BEN |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
4 |
WILKINSON |
ALEXANDER |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
BRILLANTE |
JOSHUA |
AUSTRALIAN |
MIDFIELDER |
|
7 |
ZULLO |
MICHAEL |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
8 |
RETRE |
PAULO |
AUSTRALIAN |
MIDFIELDER |
|
9 |
DASILVA |
DEYVISON ROGERIO |
BRAZILIAN |
FORWARD |
|
10 |
NINKOVIC |
MILOS |
SERBIAN |
MIDFIELDER |
|
11 |
MIERZEJEWSKI |
ADRIAN |
POLISH |
MIDFIELDER |
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
13 |
O’NEILL |
BRANDON |
AUSTRALIAN |
MIDFIELDER |
|
14 |
BROSQUE |
ALEX |
AUSTRALIAN |
FORWARD |
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
16 |
KALIK |
ANTHONY |
AUSTRALIAN |
MIDFIELDER |
|
17 |
CARNEY |
DAVID |
AUSTRALIAN |
MIDFIELDER |
|
18 |
SIMON |
MATTHEW |
AUSTRALIAN |
FORWARD |
|
19 |
ZUVELA |
CHRISTOPHER |
AUSTRALIAN |
MIDFIELDER |
|
20 |
CISAK |
ALEXANDER |
AUSTRALIAN |
GOALKEEPER |
|
21 |
LOKOLINGOY |
CHARLES |
AUSTRALIAN |
FORWARD |
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
|
23 |
GRANT |
RHYAN |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
24 |
|
|
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
|
26 |
WILKSHIRE |
LUKE |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
|
30 |
HEWARD-BELLE |
THOMAS |
AUSTRALIAN |
GOALKEEPER |
|
31 |
TILIO |
MARCO |
AUSTRALIAN |
MIDFIELDER |
|
32 |
MUTCH |
WILLIAM |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
33 |
FLOTTMANN |
PATRICK |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
35 |
BANDIERA |
JACKSON |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
|
37 |
COX |
JEREMY |
AUSTRALIAN |
FORWARD |
AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH DETAILS
Wednesday 14th February 2018
Sydney FC vs Suwon Bluewings (Korea).
Sydney Football Stadium
Kick Off – 7.30pm (AEDT)
Wednesday 21st February 2018
Shanghai Shenhua (China) vs Sydney FC
Hongkou Football Stadium
Kick Off – 11pm (AEDT)
Wednesday 7th March 2018
Sydney FC vs Kashima Antlers (Japan)
Sydney Football Stadium
Kick Off – 7.30pm (AEDT)
Tuesday 13th March 2018
Kashima Antlers (Japan) vs Sydney FC
Kashima Soccer Stadium
Kick Off – 9pm (AEDT)
Tuesday 3rd April 2018
Suwon Bluewings (Korea) vs Sydney FC
Suwon World Stadium
Kick Off – 9pm (AEST)
Tuesday 17th April 2018
Sydney FC vs Shanghai Shenhua (China)
Sydney Football Stadium
Kick Off – 7.30pm (AEST)
AFC Champions League Memberships are now available! Purchase yours and be at Sydney Football Stadium for our three blockbuster Group Stage clashes as we go on our #QuestToBeTheBest! Click here to secure your seats.
