Reigning Ninja A-League champions Melbourne City are on their way to Uzbekistan to compete in the AFC Women’s Champions League, and the full extent of their brutal travel schedule has now been revealed.
After defeating Wellington Phoenix 2-1 on the opening weekend of the new season Michael Matricciani’s champions then made it two wins from two on Sunday as they thrashed Sydney FC 5-0 at Allianz Stadium.
The 2025/26 Double Winners will now hit pause on their Ninja A-League campaign for the next three weeks as they turn their attention to the AFC Women’s Champions League for a third-straight season.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE NINJA A-LEAGUE
The group stage of the 2026/27 edition of the Champions League will be played in Uzbekistan, with Matricciani’s side facing Uzbek side PFC Nasaf, Kaya FC of the Philippines and Chinese outfit Beijing Jingtang before returning to Ninja A-League action in Matchweek 5.
Speaking on Episode 2 of ‘Kicking Back’, City stars Aideen Keane and Taylor Ray detailed the full extent of their brutal travel schedule ahead of their first group stage game on Sunday, November 2 in Qarshi.
“16-hour flight first,” laughed midfielder Ray when asked for the full itenerary by Kicking Back host and Ninja A-League Champion Sarah Rowe.
“16-hour flight followed by a nine-hour bus journey!
“Then we’ll do another, I think it’s like an eight-hour flight, then another eight-hour bus, but like they’ve gone two buses and things like that. But we’ve actually done this before, Aideen and I.
“Honestly, [it’s] a two-day travel, which is obviously a big toll on us players after just having a game on the weekend. Then going straight into games that you only have a couple days break in between.
Vote Now! Ninja A-League Isuzu MU-X Goal of the Week (MW2)
WEEKEND REVIEW: What YOUR Ninja A-League club had to say
“I think this tournament, it’s a really great opportunity for us. It’s going to be a lot of load on all of our bodies, but like that’s a part of being a professional footballer.
“So I’m really looking forward to it. I think we have great depth. We have some players coming back from some injuries. I think Den [Danielle Turner] is also returning, which is our vice captain.
“So it’s a big trip, but I think it’s a good opportunity for us.”
Keane added: “Our strength and conditioning coach is always circling around and being like, “Get up, go for a walk, go do some stretches.” I’m sure we’ll be doing the same on the bus.
“I think we are prepared. I’ve got my motion sickness tablets because I’m terrible with that!
“So I don’t want to be feeling sick or trying to throw up and kind of ruin it… it’s going to be a big one.”
For Keane in particular, the travel to Uzbekistan will have it’s additional challenges after a bruising 90 minutes against Sydney FC in Matchweek 2.
MATCH REPORT: Melbourne City run riot as sorry Sydney FC cop five goals
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 25: Aideen Keane of Melbourne City controls the ball during the round two A-League Women match between Sydney FC and Melbourne City at Allianz Stadium, on October 25, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
No stranger to a physical encounter on the pitch, Keane copped a flailing arm to the jaw whilst battling with Sydney defender Kiley Dulaney in the first half of Sunday’s 5-0 win.
“That one actually rocked me,” Keane laughed. “So at least it was like bottom half of the face. So no more black eyes.
“This one’s still almost almost there,” she added, referencing a black-eye she received against Wellington Phoenix in Matchweek 1.
“But I I got that hit in the jaw, and I’ve had a lot of jaw problems. And so at half-time, I’m like quickly seeing the doc, but I’m like closing my mouth, and my teeth are misaligned.
“Like that’s how bad it got me!”
