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.”

The Sky Blues' AFC Champions League squad is set.

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.