Sydney FC’s path to AFC Champions League glory in 2020 is clearer tonight after the Sky Blues were drawn against Yokohama F. Marinos, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC and the winners of a play-off between sides from China, Thailand and Vietnam.
The draw which was held in Kuala Lumpur within the last hour means the Sky Blues will need to wait to establish their exact final opponents, but can at least begin preparations to face the reigning Japanese and Korean Champions.
The first game is set to be played in the week commencing 12th February with an exact fixture schedule set to be announced in the coming hours.
The Sky Blues will play three home games and three away games in Group H with the top two in the group progressing to the last 16 of the competition in May.
Head Coach Steve Corica said: “This is the fourth time in five seasons we’ve qualified for the AFC Champions League so we’ve got a lot of great experience in the competition.
“We were extremely unfortunate not to qualify from the group stage last season against three of the top teams in the competition, and I think we’ll take an even stronger squad into this year’s campaign.
“As always it will be tough but whoever we play once the rest of the group is known, we have a group of quality players who have a strong belief in each other and we are confident of doing well.”
Sydney FC will continue to play all AFC Champions League home matches at Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah.
Matches & Dates*
AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP H
Sydney FC vs Winner Playoff 2 – Wednesday 12th February
Yokohama F. Marinos vs Sydney FC – Wednesday 19th February
Sydney FC vs Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC – Wednesday 4th March
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC vs Sydney FC – Tuesday 7th April
Winner Playoff 2 vs Sydney FC – Tuesday 21st April
Sydney FC vs Yokohama F. Marinos – Tuesday 5th May
*Please note fixture dates subject to change
