Qatar To Host AFC Champions League East Zone Tournament

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Friday confirmed the AFC Champions League East Zone round will be staged in Doha, Qatar from Nov 18 to Dec 13. This follows Qatar’s success in hosting the AFC Champions League West Zone round from Sept 14 to Oct 3 which saw Iranian champions Persepolis FC won and booked their place in the AFC Champions League final in December. “Through the planning and delivery of these extremely strict and effective protocols, I am delighted that we will be able to successfully complete the AFC Champions League, despite the enormous challenges in this unprecedented year, as we promised all our stakeholders. “We are extremely grateful for the outstanding support of the QFA (Qatar Football Association) and are pleased that we can now build on the success of the AFC Champions League (West) while looking forward to the remaining exciting matches in Asia’s premier club competition,” said AFC secretary-general Windsor Paul John in a statement Friday. He added the welfare and well-being of the players, officials and match officials will be AFC’s top priority throughout the tournament. “Everything from the arrival of the teams, the efficient immigration process, the rigorous health screenings, hotels with biosecurity measures, to the state-of-the-art training facilities and stadiums were of the highest possible standards,” he said. Meanwhile, QFA secretary-general Mansoor Alansari said: “We are very happy to provide a safe environment for the AFC in order to complete the AFC Champions League and are looking forward to hosting the leading clubs from the East Zone during November and December.” The AFC Champions League East Zone will resume from the grouping stage and continue with the round of 16 to the quarterfinals and semifinals. -- BERNAMA