Doha: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) yesterday held the quarter-finals draw of the 2020 AFC Champions League, East Zone, which will conclude in Doha on December 19.
At a ceremony held inside the Education City Stadium, one of the stadiums of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the draw saw South Korean side Ulsan Hyundai taking on Beijing FC of China in the first quarterfinal while Vissel Kobe of Japan will play Suwon Samsung Bluewings of South Koreain the other last-eight clash on December 10.
The two winners will meet in the semi-finals on December 13 at Al Janoub Stadium.
The winner from the semifinal in Doha will play the final of the AFC Champions League, West Zone champion side Persepolis of Iran at Al Janoub Stadium on December 19.
The Deputy Director of the AFC Competitions Committee Avaz Berdikulov conducted the draw in the presence of the coaches of the four teams competing in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League East Zone.
Meanwhile, the coaches and players of participating clubs have heaped praise on the organisation and facilities offered by the host nation Qatar.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 hosts had successfully hosted the West Asia matches between September 14 and October 3, culminating in Iran’s Persepolis FC reaching the final, and Qatar was again chosen as the venue for the remainder of the competition where one team from East Asia groups aspires to join them in the final taking place at Al Janoub Stadium on December 19.
“I visited Qatar as a player in 1999 but now that I came again everything has changed,” said FC Seoul head coach Lee Won-jun who was part of the FC Seoul side (then known Anyang LG Cheetahs) who played in the 1999-2000 Asian Cup Winners cup.
Meanwhile, 2006 FIFA World Cup winning captain and Guangzhou Evergrande head coach Fabio Cannavaro believes the nation is well prepared to host the second-ever FIFA World Cup to take place in Asia.
“When we talk about the FIFA World Cup, I was one of the luckiest guys to lift the trophy. I am thankful to be here in these facilities that will host the next edition. I have been to Qatar many times and I know everyone is working hard for 2022 and I’m sure they will be ready.”
For Melbourne Victory assistant coach Steve Kean, the preparations were clear to see from the moment the team arrived at Hamad International Airport.
“We have been extremely impressed from the moment we stepped off the plane with the measures in place and the facilities. When we travelled on the road to come to the stadium, we saw the facilities the country is putting in place to prepare for the FIFA World Cup. Qatar can be proud of what they have achieved.”
Shanghai SIPG midfielder Cai Huikang had previously visited Doha with the Chinese national team for a FIFA World Cup qualifier, and he is hopeful he could return with his country for the Finals in two years’ time.
“I have been impressed by Qatar and the city of Doha. Here in this city there are a lot of good stadiums, the facilities are amazing. When the players come on the pitch, everyone is eager to play on those stadiums. When I came here for the national team, I always wanted to play here. I hope I will come back with the national team in 2022.”
The 15-team competition, following the withdrawal of Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim, sees four air-conditioned venues hosting the matches, including three 2022 FIFA World Cup host grounds; Al Janoub Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium and Education City Stadium, while Al Sadd SC’s Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium having hosted matches in the group stage.
