Connor Bunnell

The NFL’s 2025 season has been chaotic, to say the least. Nobody clinched a playoff spot until Week 15, and many of the usual power players fell to pieces, including a glorious implosion by the Kansas City Chiefs. In their place, new powers have risen to prominence, many of them transformed by the arrivals of new head coaches, and in a league where success can be so fleeting, no one is taking this chance for granted.

After another win at home, Macarthur FC have clinched a spot in the AFC Champions League Two knockouts, but their work is not over yet. In order to secure first place in Group E and the more favourable draw that comes with it, they will need to travel to China and face Beijing Guoan, who will be re-energised after ending their domestic campaign with glory and silverware.

After a hard-fought win in their last AFC Champions League Two match, Macarthur FC have climbed all the way from worst to first in Group E. Now they will try to consolidate their position by beating the team that forced this grind as the Bulls host a rematch with Tai Po FC. Before it all kicks off in Campbelltown, let us review what these two sides have been up to and assess how Macarthur can reap the maximum rewards from this situation.