Kaya FC-Iloilo One Win Away from ACL Return Changchun Yatai FC pulls out of the AFC Champions, raising the stakes for next Tuesday’s matchup verses Sydney FC..
In a statement earlier today, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed the withdrawal of Chinese side Changchun Yatai FC from participating in this season’s AFC Champions League.
“Therefore, in accordance with the AFC Champions League 2022 Competition Regulations, the Playoff Stage match between Changchun Yatai FC and the winners of the Preliminary Stage tie between Australia’s Sydney FC and Kaya FC-Iloilo from the Philippines, which was scheduled to take place on March 15, 2022, has been canceled.”
Whoever emerges the victor will receive direct entry into Group H, joining two-time winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors from South Korea, Japan’s Yokohama F Marinos, and Vietnam’s Hoang Anh Gia Lai at a centralized location in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam from April 15 to May 1.
Put it simply, next Tuesday’s fixture against Sydney FC has turned into the knockout decider for which club progresses to the Group Stage.
This echoes the development of last season’s ACL qualifiers, with Brisbane Roar FC’s withdrawal leading to the fated match against Shanghai Port FC and Iloilo breaking into the competition for the first time in club history.
The road back to Asia’s biggest stage leads through Sydney, and we’d like to call on our fellow Filipinos currently residing in and around the area to come and support us at the Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on March 8.
