Sydney FC will play two friendly matches against New South Wales Premier League opponents in the lead up to and during its 2011 AFC Champions League campaign.

Sydney FC will play Sydney United on Wednesday 23 February at Edensor Park (7:30pm kick-off) in the lead up to their first match of the AFC Champions League campaign which is on Wednesday 2 March against Korea's Suwon Samsung Bluewings at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The Sky Blues will then play APIA Leichardt at Lambert Park on Wednesday 9 March (7:30pm kick-off) - a week before their second AFC Champions League match which is against Japan's Kashima Antlers at the Kashima Soccer Stadium in Kashima.

"Preparing for such a big football tournament requires matches and match fitness and there is a three week break between our final A-League game and our first Champions League game so the first friendly will be very important for a number of reasons," Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka said.

"It will help keep our players match fit. We can work on tactics and formation and it will keep the squad alert. The second friendly will also do the same as there is a two week break between each Champions League game.

"I very much enjoy playing against Premier League opponents. We always get a tough hit out and that is what we need coming into such a big tournament.

"I want to thank our opponents and their clubs for playing us too. They will also use the matches to help them prepare for their upcoming season."