MALAYSIA will host two groups in the coronavirus-hit Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League, organisers said, although two more pools in Asia’s premier football competition remain without a home.

After Qatar agreed to host all four groups in the West region, Malaysia has stepped in to stage East-zone groups G and H, featuring teams from Japan, China, South Korea and Australia, as well as Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT).

Group G comprises Vissel Kobe (Japan), JDT, Guangzhou Evergrande FC (China) and Suwon Samsung Bluewings (South Korea), while Yokohama F Marinos (Japan), Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (South Korea), Sydney FC (Australia) and Shanghai SIPG FC (China) make up Group H.

The Champions League, on hold since the global Covid-19 pandemic wiped out international sport in March, will resume on Sept 14 in Qatar with the games in Malaysia starting onOct17.

However, “the centralised venue for the AFC Champions League groups E and F, as well as the remaining knockout stage matches are yet to be confirmed”, an AFC statement said.

Groups E and F include teams from Japan, China, South Korea, Australia and Thailand.

To help squeeze in the condensed tournament, all knockout ties will be played in a single match, rather than home and away, and the final will also be a one-off game played in the West region. — AFP