AFC outlines plan for Champions League resumption

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have revealed their plans to resume the 2020 Champions League campaign from mid-October using a centralised  hub model.

Glory were able to complete just one fixture in what is the club’s maiden appearance in the competition before the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic brought football to a halt.

But after consulting with its member associations, leagues and clubs, the AFC has now produced a revised calendar which it hopes will enable the Champions League to be completed between October and December, with games to be played at two, as yet unconfirmed venues, one in the East Region and another in the West.

Dato’ Windsor John, the AFC General Secretary, said: “The AFC Administration has been in constant dialogue with our MAs, Leagues and Clubs in recent weeks so that we can establish a clear picture of the opportunities that exist in each MA.

“During those discussions which began in Kuala Lumpur, Doha, Dubai and Delhi in February and March and have continued online ever since, we have looked to agree a calendar of matches that will allow us to complete both the club competitions and centralised tournaments in 2020.”

Of course, the completion of the tournament will be dependent upon travel restrictions being lifted around Asia, but the provisional fixture list will see Glory complete their remaining five Group F games between the 16th and 31st October.

First up is a ‘home’ game against Shanghai Shenhua on Friday 16th October, followed by another ‘home’ game on Thursday 22nd October, when Ulsan Hyundai will provide the opposition.

Three days later, on Sunday 25th October, Glory will again meet Ulsan Hyundai, ahead of a second meeting with Shanghai Shenhua on Wednesday 28 October.

And Tony Popovic’s side are scheduled to complete their group stage fixtures on Saturday 31st October by taking on FC Tokyo, against whom they lost their opening match of the campaign back in February.

Should Glory manage to secure a top-two finish in Group F, they will face a one-off Round of 16 game on Tuesday 3rd November.

Further progress would see the men in purple in Quarter Final action on Wednesday 25 November, with the Semi Finals set for Saturday 28th November and the Final scheduled to take place on Saturday 5th December.

 
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