November 23 – China’s Beijing FC and Shanghai SIPG have both made perfect starts in their group stages of the Asian Champions League in Qatar, where the remaining 40 matches of the East Zone matches will be played.
Originally scheduled to kick off in March, Chinese teams were the first to be pulled out of international competition when the coronavirus began its global grip. While the domestic Chinese league has been played the AFC has waited until it was able to centralise the Champions League group safely, with Qatar again providing the best solution having successfully hosted the West Zone game in September/October.
While most other teams currently in Qatar had managed one or two group games, some of the Chinese teams had not opened their accounts. That leaves them with a heavier schedule in but one that so far they are embracing.
Shanghai SIPG have opened in Qatar with two wins and are joint top of their group with Japan’s Yokohama F Marinos who they meet on Wednesday and again on Saturday.
Beijing FC, who had played one match in February, successfully overcame South Korean challengers FC Seoul on Saturday to top their group with two wins and a three point lead. They play their next game against Australia’s Melbourne Victory tomorrow.
Saturday marked exactly two years to go to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. As tests of venues go, Qatar could not be getting preparation having already hosted the 16 teams and 35 matches required to provide an East Zone Champions League finalists.
On Saturday the pitch side temperature was a cool 22.2 degrees, outside the stadium the temperature was 30 degrees.
The group stages complete December 4 with eight teams qualifying for the Round of 16 to be played December 6/7. Quarter finals will be played December 10 and the semi-final December 13.
The winner will then face Iran’s Persepolis in Qatar on December 19 in the Champions League final. The winner qualifies for the Club World Cup – again in Qatar – in February 2021.
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