AFC 'confident' Asian Champions League will be completed this year

Four UAE clubs involved in the group stage, which was halted in March after two games because of the coronavirus outbreak

Salem Abdulla of Al Ain, right, with Al Nassr's Sultan Al Ghanam during the Asian Champions League match at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Al Nassr celebrate after Khalid Eisa's blunder gifted them the winner. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Al Ain's Ahmed Barman, right, with Giuliano of Al Nassr. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Omar Yaisien celebrates after scoring for Al Ain. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Omar Yaisien scores for Al Ain. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Al Ain celebrate Omar Yaisien's goal. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Omar Yaisien celebrates after scoring for Al Ain. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Al Ain manager Pedro Emanuel. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Kodjo Fo Doh Laba of Al Ain. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Al AIn's Omar Yaisien goes on the attack against Al Nassr. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Mukhtar Ali celebrates after scoring Al Nassr's first goal. EPA

Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa is caught out by Abderrazak Hamdallah who goes on to score Al Nassr's winner. EPA

Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa is caught out by Abderrazak Hamdallah who goes on to score Al Nassr's winner. EPA

Al Ain fans at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Mukhtar Ali of Al Nassr. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Asian Football Confederation general secretary Windsor John is "confident" the Champions League will be completed this year as the tournament heads into a frantic period of games with some venues still unknown.

Asia's showpiece tournament has been on hold since March, creating a heavy backlog before West Asia group games resume in Qatar on September 14.

Two of the East Asia groups will be played from October 16 in Malaysia, but no host has been announced for the two remaining pools or the knockout stages for the Eastern clubs.

The UAE still has four clubs involved in the competition, with Al Wahda sitting second in Group A, Shabab Al Ahli in Group B, Sharjah in Group C, and Al Ain in Group D.

Only two rounds of games were possible before the shutdown, and teams from China have played no matches at all. But AFC general secretary John said everything will be completed before the year's end.

"We remain committed and confident of completing the competition within the 2020 calendar year," he said.

John said more details on East Zone matches would be announced after an AFC executive meeting next week. The competition's single-leg final is scheduled for December 5.

The pandemic continues to spread worldwide and several countries in Asia are battling serious outbreaks. But John said he believes the Champions League can restart safely.

"We have engaged with our medical experts to establish several guidelines taking reference the industry's best practices to minimise the risks," he said.

A bio-secure "bubble" has been put in place for the resumption of matches in Qatar, similar to one implemented for the Uefa Champions League in Lisbon.

Under the arrangement in Lisbon, players and officials were subject to strict rules. These included having to undergo regular virus tests, and only being allowed to leave their hotels with prior agreement.

Asked if Asian football will continue to be disrupted even into next year, John said the AFC was working on the 2021 calendar, but that safety was paramount.

"The safety of our teams, players, officials, broadcast partners and stakeholders will always remain the highest priority, and we will not hesitate to make difficult decisions if necessary," he said.

"Our commitment remains focused on completing our competitions as much as possible and the safe resumption of Asian football."

John's comments come just two days after the UAE Football Association decided to postpone the start of the 2020/21 domestic season until next month.

The season was scheduled to begin with Arabian Gulf Cup matches on Thursday, before the Arabian Gulf League getting underway next Wednesday.