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Saudi Arabia to Host Crucial AFC Club Playoffs
25 Mar
Summary
- AFC club competitions relocated to Saudi Arabia due to conflict.
- Key playoff matches and quarterfinals will be held in Jeddah.
- The Champions League Elite, Two, and Challenge League affected.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced significant schedule changes for its club competitions, relocating crucial matches to Saudi Arabia in response to the conflict in West Asia. Playoff matches for the western zone are scheduled for April 13 and 14 in Jeddah.
Jeddah will also host the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final of the Asian Champions League Elite from April 16 to April 25. This revised plan follows the recent draw for the quarterfinals.
Several prominent clubs are involved in these rescheduled fixtures. Tractor FC will play Shabab Al Ahli in a playoff, with the winner advancing to face Buriram United. Vissel Kobe is set to play the winner of the Al-Hilal and Al-Sadd playoff.
Defending champions Al-Ahli Saudi will compete against Al-Duhail, and Al-Ittihad is scheduled to play Al-Wahda. The AFC Champions League Two and AFC Challenge League quarterfinals have also been postponed and will be played on April 19 and 22 at centralized venues to be announced.
Cristiano Ronaldo's club, Al-Nassr, is participating in the AFC Champions League Two, which is also affected by these changes.
