The Philippines’ very own Kaya FC-Iloilo moves one step closer towards making their Group Stage debut at the AFC Champions League following the decision of the AFC COVID-19 Sub-Committee for AFC Champions League and AFC Cup 2021 (East) on the final line-up of clubs for the AFC Champions League 2021 Group and Playoff Stages after Football Australia’s confirmation of the withdrawal of its clubs from the tournament.
Kaya FC-Iloilo will need to first defeat China PR’ Shanghai Port FC in the Playoff Stage to secure the final spot in Group F, following the cancellation of their Preliminary Stage match between Brisbane Roar.
The Sub-Committee also decided to cancel the AFC Champions League Playoff Stage match between Daegu FC and Chiangrai FC with the 2020 Thai FA Cup winners replacing Sydney FC in Group H and Daegu FC receiving a direct entry into Group I.
Meanwhile, the Playoff Stage match between Melbourne City FC and Cerezo Osaka has also been canceled, with the Japanese side receiving a direct bye into Group J, alongside China PR’s Guangzhou FC, Kitchee SC from Hong Kong, and Thailand’s Port FC.
The AFC Champions League Groups F, G, and J will take place in Bangkok and Buriram in Thailand from June 22 to July 11, 2021, while Groups H and I will be staged in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from June 25 to July 11.