With Unite Round in the books, Central Coast Mariners and Sydney FC have turned their attention back to their respective AFC Asian Champions League (ACL) campaigns.
The Mariners are in the ACL Elite this season, with Sydney FC taking part in ACL Two.
Both clubs are four games into their respective continental campaigns, and will sit out this weekend’s Isuzu UTE A-League action this weekend ahead of midweek games either side of Round 6.
In the ACL Elite, Central Coast play Japanese giants Vissel Kobe (Tuesday, November 26) and Yokohama F.Marinos (Tuesday, December 3). Sydney FC, meanwhile face Eastern (Thursday, November 28) before a home clash with Kaya FC (Thursday, December 5) in the ACL Two.
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Read on for a full preview of Central Coast’s clash with Vissel Kobe and Sydney FC’s ACL Two bout against Eastern this week.
Match details – A-Leagues clubs in Asia
Vissel Kobe v Central Coast
Matchday Five – AFC Champions League Elite
Tuesday, November 26 2024
Noevir Stadium Kobe
Kick Off: 9:00pm AEDT (7:00pm Local)
Eastern FC v Sydney FC
Matchday Five – AFC Champions League 2
Thursday 28th November 2024
Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong
Kick Off: 9:00pm AEDT (6:00pm Local)
Vissel Kobe v Central Coast Mariners – ACL Elite
The Mariners are in Japan ahead of Tuesday’s clash with J1 League leaders and defending champions Vissel Kobe and the odds are stacked heavily against the reigning Isuzu UTE A-League champions as they take one of Asian football’s powerhouse clubs.
Both Central Coast and Vissel Kobe are taking part in the ACL Elite’s 12-team Eastern league; Vissel Kobe sit on top of the league after three wins and one draw from their first four games. The Mariners are 11th, having picked up just one point from a possible 12.
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The top eight teams from the Eastern league after eight league games will join the top eight teams from the Western league in the Round of 16 of the ACL Elite. The Mariners are currently five points behind eight-placed Kawasaki Frontale with four games to play.
With Central Coast’s hopes of progressing to the ACL Elite knockout phase in the balance, a clash with reigning J1 League champions could not have come at a worse time. Just days after securing the Emperor’s Cup, Vissel Kobe will take on the Mariners in continental competition before returning focus to the J1 League where they are on the precipice of a second-consecutive league title.
But despite preparing to face a formidable opponent, there is optimism among the Mariners camp after a confidence-boosting F3 Derby win over Newcastle Jets in Unite Round.
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The 2-1 win on Friday night was Central Coast’s first victory of the season, in either the ACL Elite or Isuzu UTE A-League. Head coach Mark Jackson will look to keep momentum rolling as he welcomes back winger Christian Theoharous to the selection mix after an extended injury layoff.
“The player we’ll see back is Christian Theoharous. He’ll come into contention for the next Champions League game when we go to Japan,” Jackson said after the F3 Derby.
“I expect him to be pushing for a place in the squad, and that will be a real boost for us because he’s an exciting player, a dynamic attacking player who played really, really well for us last year towards the end of the season, and we know can add to the team.
“We’ll be looking forward to getting him back.”
How to watch Vissel Kobe v Central Coast?
Kick-off for Central Coast’s fourth ACL Elite fixture against Vissel Kobe is at 9.00pm AEDT on Tuesday, November 26. You can watch all the action LIVE on Paramount+.
Match details
Vissel Kobe v Central Coast
Matchday Five – AFC Champions League Elite
Tuesday, November 26 2024
Noevir Stadium Kobe
Kick Off: 9:00pm AEDT (7:00pm Local)
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS FOR ROUND 6 OF THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE
Eastern v Sydney FC – ACL Two
Whilst the ACL Elite “league” stage carries through until February, 2025, the ACL Two group stage is set to conclude next week.
Sydney FC have just two group stage games left to play: an away game against Eastern FC on Thursday night, and a home tie against Kaya FC Iloilo Thursday week.
The Sky Blues are second in Group E on six points, having won twice and lost twice in four group games to date. Sanfrecce Hiroshima are first on 12 points, while Eastern and Kaya sit equal on three points each.
With the top-two teams from the eight ACL Two groups set to progress to the Round of 16, Sydney FC will feel confident it will be them joining Sanfrecce in the knockouts having beaten Eastern and Kaya convincingly in their first two group stage games.
Sydney beat Eastern 5-0 on the first matchday of the competition before a 4-1 win over Kaya before consecutive defeats to Sanfrecce.
Like the Mariners, Sydney return to Asian competition buoyed by their performance in Unite Round over the weekend. Talay’s side beat rivals Western Sydney Wanderers 4-2, with Douglas Costa named as a surprise starter in his first appearance since a hamstring injury suffered against Sanfrecce in October.
Costa was given just 45 minutes of game time in the derby, before being withdrawn for Anas Ouahim who dominated the second half with his goal and two assists breaking the game open.
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The last time Sydney played Eastern in the ACL Two, Ouahim scored a brace in a stellar performance; Sky Blues fans will hope Ouahim can replicate that form against the Hong Kong outfit on the road.
How to watch Eastern v Sydney FC?
Kick-off for Sydney’s fifth ACL Two clash is 9:00pm AEDT on Thursday, November 28 at Mong Kok Stadium. You can watch all the action LIVE and FREE on 10 Play.
Match details
Eastern FC v Sydney FC
Matchday Five – AFC Champions League 2
Thursday 28th November 2024
Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong
Kick Off: 9:00pm AEDT (6:00pm Local)
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS FOR ROUND 6 OF THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE
