Sydney FC have confirmed their squad for the remaining 2020 AFC Champions League group stage games to be held in Qatar over the next two months.
Shotstopper and A-League Goalkeeper of the Year Andrew Redmayne is the notable absentee, with the gloveman electing to remain in Sydney to be with his pregnant wife.
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Sydney FC Head Coach Steve Corica said he was pleased with the squad at his disposal, while recognising and understanding Redmayne’s decision to stay in the country.
“There are 23 inclusions from the squad that we previously selected, plus the three additions,” he said.
“We need depth and young Patrick Wood is coming in, he’s been doing very well at training.
“It’s great to have Ninkovic back in, with Adam [Le Fondre] leaving we had a foreign spot available, and Milos’ experience and quality will add another dimension to our squad.
“Without a replacement for Adam yet it’ll give a good opportunity for our young boys to show what they can do against tough opposition in a tough group.
“There’s reasons for players not to travel, and we understand Andrew’s wife is pregnant and is due very soon,” he continued.
“Andrew doesn’t want to miss the birth of his first child understandably, so he’ll remain home and work on being ready for the new A-League season.
“This is a good opportunity for Tom Heward-Belle to show what he can do in these games, which will give us more depth, game time and experience for these young players ahead of the new A-League season.”
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Andrew Redmayne said he was thankful to the club for allowing him to remain with his wife, as he sets his sights on being ready for the new A-League season kicking off in December.
“With my wife heavily pregnant I couldn’t risk missing the birth of my first child,” Redmayne said.
“If all goes well things may have been ok, however I’m not prepared to risk something unforeseen happening while I’m away.
“I’m grateful to the club for allowing me to support my wife. Sydney FC being a family club, this reflects the values of the club and I thank all the staff and management.
“I’ll continue to work hard with the youth team and support staff whilst in Sydney to afford myself the best preparation for the new A-League season starting in December.”
Milos Ninkovic assumes the vacant foreign spot left by Adam Le Fondre’s departure, while youngsters Patrick Wood and Levi Kaye are also added to the squad, with six changes in total to the 26-man roster who first kicked off their Group H campaign in February.
Sydney FC resume their AFC Champions League campaign on Thursday 19 November against Shanghai SIPG at Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar (kick off 9pm AEDT).
Sydney FC AFC Champions League 2020 Squad List
2. PATRICK FLOTTMANN
3. BENJAMIN WARLAND
4. ALEX WILKINSON
5. ALEX BAUMJOHANN
6. RYAN McGOWAN
7. MICHAEL ZULLO
8. PAULO RETRE
10. MILOS NINKOVIC
11. KOSTA BARBAROUSES
12. TRENT BUHAGIAR
16. JOEL KING
17. ANTHONY CACERES
18. LUKE IVANOVIC
19. CHRIS ZUVELA
20. TOM HEWARD-BELLE (GK)
21. HARRY VAN DER SAAG
23. RHYAN GRANT
26. LUKE BRATTAN
27. JORDI SWIBEL
28. CALEM NIEUWENHOF
30. ADAM PAVLESIC (GK)
33. PATRICK WOOD
40. LEVI KAYE (GK)
Matches & Dates
AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP H
Sydney FC vs Shanghai SIPG – Thursday 19th November – Khalifa International Stadium – 9pm AEDT
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC vs Sydney FC – Wednesday 25th November – Al Janoub Stadium – 9pm AEDT
Shanghai SIPG vs Sydney FC – Wednesday 2nd December – Al Janoub Stadium – 12am (Midnight) AEDT
Sydney FC vs Yokohama F. Marinos – Friday 4th December – Al Janoub Stadium – 9pm AEDT
