Joel and Ryan - seen here at training this week - are set to turn out for new club Beijing Guoan against Joel's former A-League side Newcastle Jets and his twin sibling, Adam.

Joel's loan deal with Beijing bans him from playing for Guoan against the Jets in Australia - but he's got the all clear to play against them in the opening tie of the Asian Champions League this week in China.

He will be joined by his Socceroo brother Ryan who signed for Guoan after recent loan spells in the Chinese Super League with Liaoning.

Now the pair are braced for a family at war this week.

"It's a very strange situation," admitted Ryan. "It's one thing to play with your brother, but playing against him is a different story.

"I've spoken with Joel about it and at the end of the day you have to be professional about it. On the pitch, he (Adam) will become just another player."

But Joel - whose loan spell stretches until December when he may return to Newcastle - was a little more direct.

"I'm sure Adam will also be thinking this is a bit strange," he said."However, on the pitch, we will be enemies.

"It has also been a while since Ryan and I have played together in a competitive match, but he has certainly helped me settle in here. It has been great so far."

The new version of the AFC Champions League will feature 32 teams in the group stages - instead of the 28 in previous events - when it kicks off this week on Match Day 1 (March 10 and 11). Matches will be played in nine countries across Asia, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, China and Australia.

With stricter entry requirements, the new and improved AFC Champions League promises increased action, spurred by the lure of a spectacular trophy and increased prize money, with US$1.5 million for the winners and US$750,000 for the runners-up.

This is the highest on offer in any Asian football competition, with the added incentive of the champion being given the opportunity to represent Asia in the FIFA Club World Cup.

AFC President Mohammed Bin Hammam said he was excited by the remodelled competition and the future longevity of the competition.

"The AFC Champions League continues to showcase the very best, drawing elite clubs from the farthest corners of our vast continent in what is a truly pan-Asian tournament," he said.

"This is an exciting time in Asian football and we are looking forward to a fantastic competition in 2009."