The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has today announced that the Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA) will host the centralised matches of Sydney FC’s 2021 AFC Champions League Group H.

The Sky Blues will be pitted against Korean Champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC, Japanese runners up Gamba Osaka, and Singaporean powerhouse Tampines Rovers in their Group, with matches scheduled to take place from June 25 to July 11, 2021.

This year’s competition sees the AFC Champions League expanded to include 40 teams, with only the first placed teams guaranteed a place in the Round of 16, and the top three second placed teams also qualifying.

Sydney FC will now be working with the club’s medical advisors and Australian government to ascertain the risk and logistical practicalities of travel to Uzbekistan, with Sydney FC’s player and staff welfare a top priority.