On 18 September 2025, Hong Kong will kick off the AFC Champions League 2 group stage with local team Tai Po facing Australia’s Macarthur.
Key facts and head-to-head history:
- This will be the first time Tai Po plays an Australian club in an official AFC competition.
- Macarthur, one of Australia’s newer professional teams, was established in 2017 and has gained recognition quickly.
- In their last 5 matches, Tai Po won 2 times.
- Macarthur also secured 2 victories in their last 5 games.
- Tai Po has prior experience in Asian competitions, having appeared in the AFC Champions League in 2020, though they did not advance past the qualifiers.
Match preview:
Tai Po has been one of the leading clubs in Hong Kong, frequently participating in Asian tournaments. They focus on strong defense and quick attacks, but their overall squad depth is not as strong as that of more established teams.
Macarthur, representing Australia’s A-League, is considered the favorite. With a strong attack and experienced players, they have the potential to change the game’s outcome through individual skill. A solid start in the tournament is vital for them as they aim for a spot in the knockout stages.
This match will showcase differing football styles: Tai Po will likely play carefully and compactly, while Macarthur will try to impose a fast-paced game and capitalize quickly.
Probable line-ups:
- Tai Po: Ka-Wing, Daciel, Dujardin, Sividini, Ka-Ho, Silva, Renner, Mikael, Sartori, Medeiros, Fernando.
- Macarthur: Kurto, Talbot, Krslovic, Uskok, Scott, Ikonomidis, Brettan, Rose, Politidis, Soer, Caceres.
Tai Po vs Macarthur prediction:
Both teams favor an attacking approach: Tai Po tends to be aggressive at home, while Macarthur scores frequently in the A-League, though they sometimes struggle defensively. The tournament debut adds extra motivation for both teams, suggesting that we might see goals from both sides.
Prediction: Both teams to score (Yes).