Asian Champions League semifinal moved to preserve pitch for final

The AFC said in a statement it agreed to the change of venue for the semifinal following a proposal by the Qatar Football Association.

Asian football's governing body said the decision to move the semifinal to another venue was made to preserve the Al Janoub Stadium pitch for the Dec. 19 continental final.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Friday it has shifted Sunday's Asian Champions League east zone semifinal between Vissel Kobe and Ulsan Hyundai from Doha's Al Janoub Stadium to the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.

Asian football's governing body said the decision was made to preserve the Al Janoub Stadium pitch for the Dec. 19 continental final between the winner of Sunday's game and Iran's Persepolis, which has qualified from the west zone.

 

Former champion Ulsan Hyundai beat Beijing Guoan 2-0 at the Al Janoub Stadium before Japan's Vissel Kobe reached the last-four with a 7-6 penalty shootout win against Suwon Bluewings at the same venue in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

The AFC said in a statement it agreed to the change of venue for the semifinal following a proposal by the Qatar Football Association.

 

Iran's Persepolis qualified for the decider after coming through a centralised tournament featuring teams from the western half of the continent.