August 20 – Saudi Arabia has won the rights to host the 2021 AFC Champions League final which will be played November 23 and qualify one team for the second Club World Cup this year – to be played in Japan as part of their centenary celebrations in December.
The award of the final to Saudi is a significant endorsement for the country that is in the frontrunning of the bidding to host the 2027 Asian Cup, the AFC’s blue riband national team tournament that was successfully expanded in 2019 and which in 2023 will be hosted by China.
As well as the final of the Champions League, Saudi will host the quarter finals and semi-final (West) of the competition from October 16 to 19.
South Korea will be the centralised host for the East region of the AFC, with games to be staged in Jeonju from October 17-20.
All matches will be played as single leg ties for the second season running, as opposed to the previous home and away format.
The AFC Champions League is currently at the last 16 stage, with those knockout ties scheduled to be played September 14 and 15.
Saudi Arabia still have two teams in the competition. Al Hilal face Iran’s Esteghal in Dubai while Al Nassr face Iran’s Tractor FC in Doha, Qatar.
Last year’s Champion’s League winners Ulsan Hyundai are still in the competition and face Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in Ulsan.
China head for Qatar
China will play their home World Cup qualifier against Japan on September 7 in Doha, Qatar.
The decision to move to a neutral venue was made due to the difficulties facing the Chinese Football Association (CFA) in organising its home matches due to the travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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