Socceroos in the AFC Champions League: Preview

This weekend, Australian clubs Melbourne City and Sydney FC will kick off their 2022 AFC Champions League campaigns - with plenty of Socceroos involved!

After nearly two years away, Australian clubs return to Asia's most prestigious competition. 

Find out more as Asian Champions League returns, with some Australian clubs and players set to make their first appearances in the  AFC Champions League this weekend. 

Meanwhile, Martin Boyle has already enjoyed his first taste of the competition - playing an important role for Saudi outfit Al Faisaly as they kicked off their campaign in style earlier this week. 

What's next thin banner

Leckie, Maclaren, Tilio & Metcalfe - Melbourne City FC

After a 3-0 loss to Melbourne Victory in the Melbourne Derby last Saturday, the reigning A-League Men's champions face off against Thailand's BG Pathum United F.C on Saturday evening. 

Pathum is fresh off three key victories in their last three league games in the Thai Premier League and currently sit second in the competition.

City will be wary of what the 2021 champions can bring to the table on Saturday. 

 Socceroos Mathew Leckie, Jamie MaclarenMarco Tilio and Connor Metcalfe have all been named in Patrick Kisbnorbo's squad for the six games that Melbourne City will play before returning to Australia on May 4th when they face Perth Glory FC away from home. 

The team will look to get their maiden continental campaign up and running on the front foot against Patham on Saturday evening, as the Australian side plays their histori first game at 9:00 PM AEST. 

GROUP G (Bangkok, Thailand - times AEST)

BG Pathum United v Melbourne City, Friday 15 April, 9pm

Melbourne City v United City, Tuesday 19 April, 12am

Melbourne City v Jeonnam Dragons, Friday 22 April, 12am

Jeonnam Dragons v Melbourne City, Sunday 24 April, 9pm

Melbourne City v BG Pathum United, Wednesday 27 April, 9pm

United City v Melbourne City, Sunday 1 May, 12am

Grant, Redmayne & Wilkinson - Sydney FC

The Sky Blues are heading to the AFC Champions League with a mixed bag of results in recent games, with Steve Corica's side losing late to Adelaide United after previously defeating Central Coast Mariners 5-0 at Central Coast Stadium. 

Despite coming off a loss, the Sky Blues will look to use their vast experience in Asian Football to get off to a great start in the AFC Champions League against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the early hours of Sunday morning. 

Defenders Rhyan Grant and Alex Wilkinson and goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne have been named in Steve Corica's squad, who are looking to make the best possible start they can when facing Jeonbuk at Thống Nhất Stadium. 

Grant and Wilkinson are set to make their 47th and 22nd AFC Champions League appearances respectively should they both start against Jeonbuk on Sunday Morning with kick-off slated for 12AM AEST. 

GROUP H (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - times AEST)

Jeonbuk v Sydney FC, Sunday 17 April, 12am

Sydney FC v Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Tuesday 19 April, 9pm 

Sydney FC v Yokohama F. Marinos, Saturday 23 April, 12am

Yokohama F. Marinos v Sydney FC, Monday 25 April, 9pm

Sydney FC v Jeonbuk, Friday 29 April, 12am

Hoang Anh Gia Lai v Sydney FC, Sunday 1 May, 9pm

Martin Boyle - Al-Faisaly FC

Martin Boyle and Al-Faisaly have already played two games of their AFC Champions League campaign, drawing 1-1 with Al-Wehdat and defeating Al-Sadd 2-1 in a game that saw the 28-year-old grab an assist in an extremely important victory for the Saudi club. 

Now looking to move on from two positive results in the AFC Champions League, Al-Faisaly plays against Uzbekasanti club, Nasaf on Saturday morning. 

The 28-year-old has started his life in Saudi Arabia well for Al-Faisaly, netting three goals in eight games and grabbing a sole assist. 

The clash against Nasaf could prove to be key for Boyle's side as both Al-Faisaly and Nasaf currently sit equal second in Group 3 after two games of play. Al-Faisaly v Nasaf is set for 6:15AM on Saturday morning. 

10 Play is the only place that Australian audiences can watch all the matches of the AFC Champions League, as well as highlights of every game.

Group E (Dammam, Saudi Arabia - times AEST)

Al-Wehdat 1-1 Al-Faisaly 

Al-Faisaly 2-1 Al Sadd 

Nasaf v Al-Faisaly - Saturday 16 April, 6:15am

Al-Faisaly v Nasaf - Wednesday 20 April, 6:15 am

Al-Faisaly v Al-Wehdat - Sunday 24 April, 6:15am

Al Sadd v Al-Faisaly - Thursday 28 April, 6:15am