FFA makes Hyundai A-League draw changes to support ACL participants

Football Federation Australia (FFA) today announced three changes to the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season draw following a period of planning and consultation with clubs, broadcast and commercial partners, and other stakeholders.

The changes made to the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season draw support the international ambitions of Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC who will represent Australia in the 2018 AFC Champions League.

The changes also deliver on FFA’s commitment to Hyundai A-League clubs – made in June last year – to enhance player welfare by extending the time between matches throughout the busy AFC Champions League period, while still fulfilling obligations to the competition’s key stakeholders.

In Round 25 Perth Glory’s home match against Sydney FC has been shifted from Saturday, 31 March to Thursday, 29 March 2018. This will provide Sydney FC with two extra days preparation for their mid-week away fixture against a yet to be determined qualifier. The change will also provide Perth Glory with a standalone fixture on Good Friday eve.

In Round 27 Sydney FC’s home match against Melbourne Victory has been moved from Saturday, 14 April to Friday, 13 April 2018. This change will provide Sydney FC with an extra day to prepare for their mid-week home match against Chinese heavyweights Shanghai Shenhua, and Melbourne Victory with an additional day to prepare for their mid-week home match against a yet to be determined qualifier.

Due to the final round Big Blue being moved, the F3 Derby between Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets will now be played in prime time on Saturday, 14 April 2018 at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford.

Head of the Hyundai A-League, Greg O’Rourke, said FFA was committed to maintaining flexibility in the Hyundai A-League Draw annually to support the efforts of Australian Clubs in Asia, and flagged further changes to the draw should Brisbane Roar be successful in their quest to qualify for the Group Stage of the 2018 AFC Champions League.

“In addition to implementing two split rounds [rounds 20 & 22] from the outset to assist clubs during the 2018 AFC Champions League Group Stage, we have worked closely with all clubs and our partners to make these changes,” said O’Rourke.

“They will help the clubs involved to be even more competitive in the AFC Champions League and we thank all stakeholders for working with us to accommodate the moves.”

Brisbane Roar will play Ceres-Negros FC from the Philippines in their first 2018 AFC Champions League qualification match at Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre on Tuesday 23 January 2018. Kick-off will be at 7.00pm local time (8.00pm AEDT).

Should Brisbane Roar defeat Ceres-Negros FC they will venture to China to play Tianjin Quanjian. The winner of this match will advance to 2018 AFC Champions League Group E.

Please note the following updates to the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Season Draw.