Home form the key for Sydney FC’s ACL success, according to defender Alex Wilkinson

Sydney FC have to launch their Asian Champions League campaign in style, defender Alex Wilkinson has warned, if they have genuine designs on making progress on the continental stage.

Home success is key to Sydney FC doing well in the Asian Champions League. Picture: Getty

Sydney FC have to launch their Asian Champions League campaign in style, defender Alex Wilkinson has warned, if they have genuine designs on making progress on the continental stage.

The Sky Blues kick off the 2019 tournament by hosting Ulsan Hyundai on Wednesday night, and Wilkinson underscored the need to improve on the two losses and a draw on home soil in the ACL a year ago.

Ulsan present as familiar opponents for Wilkinson, after playing four years in Korea, though the visitors have recruited heavily in the off-season.

Sydney FC need to make their home ground a fortress. Picture: Getty

They opened the K-League season with a 2-1 victory over Suwon Bluewings on Friday night, but Wilkinson said Sydney have to utilise the physical advantages of being in mid-season themselves.

“If anything last year, our home form let us down last year in the Champions League,” he said.

“We ended up getting good results away from home, we got a win in Korea and draws in both China and Japan.

“Our home form was the reason we didn't get through the group, and it showed again how important home form is in the ACL.

“Seeing as Ulsan are so early in their season, it's one advantage we can take into this game, so for us three points is vital before we head to Japan.

“It is a bit challenging in terms of studying them — but I'm sure there's quite a few players left from last year and I know they played the ACL qualifier a couple of weeks ago against Perak.”

Alex Wilkinson says there are certain challenges which come from facing Asian teams. Picture: Getty

Among Ulsan’s new imports are Dutch defender Dave Bulthuis and US midfielder Mix Diskerud on loan from Manchester City, while experienced playmaker Kim Bo-kyoung — once of Cardiff City — will pose a familiar threat for Wilkinson and the rest of Sydney’s back four.

“The foreigners who go to Korea are usually of a pretty good standard, they have an American import again,” Wilkinson said.

“Also Kim Bo-kyoung was at my old club (Jeonbuk) last year and I played him a couple of times when he was in Japan. I know a bit about him and he's a good player with a decent pedigree.

“He can play through the midfield in attacking midfield or out wide so he's a decent player. He's one we need to look out for.”

Cameron Devlin celebrates with supporters after scoring a goal against Adelaide United.. Picture: Getty

Sydney head into the ACL buoyed by Friday night’s 2-0 defeat of Adelaide that tightened their grip on second place in the A-League, especially coupled with Melbourne Victory’s shock loss at home to Newcastle 24 hours later.

“Our first half against Adelaide was really good,” Wilkinson said.

“We kept the ball really well and created quite a few chances — scored one and would have been nice to score a few more.

“Second half they came into it a little bit more but we still had a couple of chances late on if that final ball had stuck a bit more.”