Former Carlisle United duo Ryan Edmondson and Alfie McCalmont have made their first Asian Champions League appearances.
But the ex-Blues pair began on a losing note with Australian club Central Coast Mariners.
Both McCalmont and Edmondson were in the starting XI as the A-League champions took on Chinese side Shandon Taisheng.
And the Mariners went down to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of a side who reached the quarter-finals last season.
Edmondson joined the Australian side in January while McCalmont made the move this summer.
Their club are currently in pre-season ahead of the A-League campaign which gets under way next month.
Your Mariners team to take on Shandong Taishan tonight! 🫡#CCMFC #ACLE #RideTheWave🌊 pic.twitter.com/Us55Xn6kgy
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) September 17, 2024
After going behind early on, Mark Jackson's side levelled before the break only for Shandon to restore their lead in the 74th minute, four minutes after striker Edmondson had been substituted.
A late third then sealed the result for the Chinese outfit in Jinan.
Edmondson was also booked amid some angry scenes late in the first half after the Mariners were awarded a penalty after a VAR check, amid protests from home players and attempts by the Australia side to prevent Shandon players from damaging the area around the penalty spot.
The former United players' club are in the East region of the AFC Champions League Elite competition.
Next up they host Buriram United from Thailand early next month.
Edmondson enjoyed success with the Mariners after his move from the Blues, with his new club going on to win an Australian trophy treble last season.
The former Leeds United striker scored twice in their 3-1 A-League grand final victory over Melbourne Victory in May, adding the title to the Premiers Plate and the AFC Cup.
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