AFC

Picture Credit: Twitter/AFC

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Monday announced the new venue for the Group matches. Earlier the AFC Group D matches were postponed after Maldives government refused to host any team due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Notably, the AFC have finalised Uzbekistan to host the remaining matches of the Asian Champions League (East) Groups H and I from June 25 to July 11. This decision follows after the confirmation that Thailand will host matches of Groups F, G and J from June 22 to July 11. The East zone matches were originally due to take place from April 21 to May 7 but were postponed due to travel restrictions and quarantine issues resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, Uzbekistan will also host the playoff stage match between Korea Republic’s Daegu FC and Chiangrai United of Thailand on June 23, 2021. The winners of this match will secure their spot in Group I with last season’s quarter-finalist Beijing FC and China PR, reigning J League champions Kawasaki Frontale and this season’s debutants United City FC from the Philippines.

The latest decision brings to a close the venue selection process for the AFC Champions League group stage following confirmation of the Football Association of Thailand, the centralised host member association for Group F, G and J, which will take place from June 22 to July 11.