(A-Leagues)
Newy 87.8 FM – The Newcastle Jets will return to AFC Champions League Elite action for the first time since 2009 on Tuesday night when they face J1 League side Kashima Antlers in Japan.
Mark Milligan's side open their campaign at Kashima Soccer Stadium against the team that won the eastern division of the one-off J1 100 Year Vision League in Japan last season.
The Jets travel with limited off-season matches behind them following their elimination in the Australia Cup Round of 32, though various pre-season hit-outs mean they will have minutes in the legs ahead of the game.
Experienced midfielder Max Burgess will officially captain the side for the first time after being appointed skipper on a permanent basis, with Irish defender Joe Shaughnessy named vice-captain.
New recruits Joe Lolley, Patrick Wood and Zane Schreiber are among those to have travelled to Japan after joining the Jets in the off-season.
Kashima Antlers sit eighth on the J1 League ladder after three consecutive defeats, having won their opening four matches of the season.
Despite their domestic form, Kashima have lost just one of their last nine home games in the ACL Elite, winning seven and drawing one, and are unbeaten in the opening match of their last three ACL Elite appearances.
Brazilian striker Leonardo de Sousa Pereira, who has scored eight goals in six J1 League matches this season, looms as a key threat for the hosts.
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