Fixture changes support Australian clubs’ AFC Champions League campaigns

Football Federation Australia (FFA) today announced three changes to the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Season draw following consultation with clubs, broadcast, commercial partners and other stakeholders.

The changes made to the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 season draw are aimed to assist Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC with their respective 2019 AFC Champions League campaigns.

Should the Newcastle Jets qualify for the group stage of the 2019 AFC Champions League, further changes to the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Season draw may be made.

FFA Head of Leagues, Greg O’Rourke, said FFA was strongly committed to assisting the Hyundai A-League clubs that qualify for the AFC Champions League.

“It is in all of our interests to see Australian clubs perform at their best in Asia’s premier club competition, the AFC Champions League,” said O’Rourke.

“As we have done in previous years, we have built flexibility into the Hyundai A-League season draw to give the players the best opportunity to achieve success in both competitions by considering the rest period between their respective matches.

“We have therefore focused on providing at least one additional days rest between certain matches where the Australian clubs are either travelling to or from Asia, while ensuring the general integrity and commercial interests of the Hyundai A-League competition are not compromised.

“This process requires many stakeholders to make changes to their original plans and we thank them for their support in making these fixtures possible,” concluded O’Rourke

The Newcastle Jets will play either Home United (SIN) or Persija Jakarta (IDN) in their 2019 AFC Champions League Preliminary qualification match at McDonald Jones Stadium on Tuesday, 12 February 2019.

Should the Newcastle Jets win their Preliminary Qualification match they would then face Kashima Antlers (JPN) in the Play-Off round on Tuesday 19 February 2019 with the winner to advance to Group E of the 2019 AFC Champions League.

Please note the following updates to the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Season Draw.  

Round

Date

Home

Away

Venue

Local

AEDT

Comments

22

Friday, 15 March 2019

Adelaide United

Perth Glory

Coopers Stadium

7:20PM

7:50PM

Change of Date

22

Saturday, 16 March 2019

Melbourne Victory

Brisbane Roar FC

Marvel Stadium

7:50PM

7:50PM

Change of Date

22

Sunday, 17 March 2019

Sydney FC

Melbourne City FC

Brookvale Oval

7:00PM

7:00PM

Change of Date and Venue