His club Tai Po are three games from a league title in the Hong Kong Premier League. 

With nine goals in all competitions so far, Sawyer has led the line for his team in Hong Kong’s 10-team Premier League.

One point clear at the top of the league and a game in hand on second-placed Kitchee, Tai Po is also making club history on the continental stage in the AFC Cup.

Sawyer's poacher’s goal last week helped the club win their first ever AFC Cup game (Asia's secondary tournament below the Asian Champions League).

With the ball about to cross the goal line close the corner flag, Sawyer cleverly outmaneuvered the defender before slotting home from an acute angle to make it 4-2. 

Sawyer celebrates a cheeky fourth goal for Tai Po

There was even a special guest watching on from Australia in the 4-2 rout over fellow Hong Kong side Kitchee. 

There's a buzz and a mental toughness about the Tai Po side says the former Roar and Jets striker, who’s quickly become a fan favourite.

“Wednesday’s match was Tai Po’s first win on the continental stage in the AFC Cup, so we are hoping to go further and progress out of our group,” Sawyer, 22, told FTBL.

Sawyer would be the first Australian player to win the AFC Cup in its 16-year history.

“My mum visited me in Hong Kong for the first time and got to watch us play on Wednesday night," revealed Sawyer.

Sawyer's mum saw her son score in the AFC Cup 4-2 win

“Winning the AFC Cup would be a massive achievement for the club and something we will be aiming for no matter how tough the challenge.

“It was a very exciting match, as we had already faced Kitchee four times previously this campaign in the domestic league and two cup finals, so this match has become a big rivalry.

“The new AFC Cup balls are something very different, they have no grip and can move in the air so it wasn’t surprising to see so many goals and a couple from long range.”

Former Brisbane Roar and A-League championship winner Matt Smith didn’t play as he was sent off in Kitchee’s previous match, an ACL qualifier against Zac Anderson’s Malaysian side Perak. 

“To go from 2-0 up to 2-2 in the closing stages was frustrating,” Sawyer added. “But we have a knack from bouncing back in games and know we can get a result at any stage of a match, so it was pleasing to go on and win 4-2 with me getting a goal and an assist.”

They also face a return to North Korea. Sawyer’s side had to qualify for the AFC Cup against a side from the hermit kingdom last month. Sawyer's side faces the cutely named April 25, on April 30.

Sawyer against Kitchee in the AFC Cup

“If I was ever told I’d have to play in North Korea I’d say you’re dreaming, so to have to go there twice is something else,” he said.

“Some of the boys barely survived the four days with no internet last time!”

Sawyer, out of contract at season's end is attracting interest across the region. 

At 6ft 5 his threat in the air and clever link play in both competitions have caught the eye. 

He added: “It's great that we are sitting in first position on the league ladder with a few games left, and winning our first AFC cup match has added to an already vibrant dressing room.

“Everyone is full of confidence in the team and enjoying themselves, I think the biggest pillar to our success so far is every player has the same ambition and that’s to win every game we play in.

“We never think we will lose a game and winning is becoming a habit.”

Learn more about the AFC Cup here