Sydney FC have revealed their squad for the club’s 2018 AFC Champions League campaign, with Dutch defender Jordy Buijs the unlucky import left out of the 26-man squad.
The squad contains 20 members of the current Hyundai A-League squad – plus six from the National Youth League team – but Buijs isn’t one of them.
ACL rules state each club can only select three imports, with Sky Blues boss Graham Arnold going for Johnny Warren Medallist Milos Ninkovic, Polish star Adrian Mierzejewski and leading scorer Bobô.
“All four of our overseas signings (Ninkovic, Bobô, Mierzejewski and Buijs) have been outstanding for us this season and all four deserve to be playing in the tournament,” said Arnold.
“Making this decision has been one of the hardest things I’ve had to do as a coach and it is one of the toughest selections I will ever have to make.
“Jordy is a fantastic player for our club and has been central to our Hyundai A-League and FFA Cup successes over the last year.
“He has a huge part to play in ensuring we continue our domestic dominance and retain our Premiers Plate and Champions trophies.”
CONFIRMED | We've named our squad for @TheAFCCL Group Stage! Check out who's in – https://t.co/TSfUu82s5H #SydneyIsSkyBlue #QuestToBeTheBest pic.twitter.com/A6SLn5L9N0
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) February 6, 2018
While hugely frustrated to miss the cut, Buijs said he understood how hard the choice was for Arnold.
“I am disappointed, because I had a big drive to play in the Champions League. I am still fully committed to my team mates and I want to help them continue our success this season,” Buijs said.
“We have a fantastic squad who will perform to their best in Asia and I will be fully behind them.
“I am still determined to perform in the A-League and win a second Premiers Plate and Championship for my club, my team-mates and most importantly my fans.”
Sydney FC face Chinese powerhouses Shanghai Shenhua, Japan’s Kashima Antlers and Suwon Bluewings in their group, with the K-League outfit the first fixture at home on Wednesday, February 14.
“I believe we have an excellent squad, a good draw and a great chance of success in the competition,” Arnold said.
“Our aim is to go further than we have before and to produce even greater results. It is going to be an exciting journey for the club and one we are looking forward to.”
Sydney FC 2018 AFC Champions League Squad:
|
Shirt Number |
Surname |
First Name |
Nationality |
Position |
|
1 |
REDMAYNE |
ANDREW |
AUSTRALIAN |
GOALKEEPER |
|
2 |
CALVER |
AARON |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
3 |
WARLAND |
BEN |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
4 |
WILKINSON |
ALEXANDER |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
BRILLANTE |
JOSHUA |
AUSTRALIAN |
MIDFIELDER |
|
7 |
ZULLO |
MICHAEL |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
8 |
RETRE |
PAULO |
AUSTRALIAN |
MIDFIELDER |
|
9 |
DASILVA |
DEYVISON ROGERIO |
BRAZILIAN |
FORWARD |
|
10 |
NINKOVIC |
MILOS |
SERBIAN |
MIDFIELDER |
|
11 |
MIERZEJEWSKI |
ADRIAN |
POLISH |
MIDFIELDER |
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
13 |
O’NEILL |
BRANDON |
AUSTRALIAN |
MIDFIELDER |
|
14 |
BROSQUE |
ALEX |
AUSTRALIAN |
FORWARD |
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
16 |
KALIK |
ANTHONY |
AUSTRALIAN |
MIDFIELDER |
|
17 |
CARNEY |
DAVID |
AUSTRALIAN |
MIDFIELDER |
|
18 |
SIMON |
MATTHEW |
AUSTRALIAN |
FORWARD |
|
19 |
ZUVELA |
CHRISTOPHER |
AUSTRALIAN |
MIDFIELDER |
|
20 |
CISAK |
ALEXANDER |
AUSTRALIAN |
GOALKEEPER |
|
21 |
LOKOLINGOY |
CHARLES |
AUSTRALIAN |
FORWARD |
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
|
23 |
GRANT |
RHYAN |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
24 |
|
|
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
|
26 |
WILKSHIRE |
LUKE |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
|
30 |
HEWARD-BELLE |
THOMAS |
AUSTRALIAN |
GOALKEEPER |
|
31 |
TILIO |
MARCO |
AUSTRALIAN |
MIDFIELDER |
|
32 |
MUTCH |
WILLIAM |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
33 |
FLOTTMANN |
PATRICK |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
35 |
BANDIERA |
JACKSON |
AUSTRALIAN |
DEFENDER |
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
|
37 |
COX |
JEREMY |
AUSTRALIAN |
FORWARD |
