Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The Asian Champions League Elite last-16 ties for West Asia, which were postponed by the war in the Middle East, will now take place over one leg on April 13 and 14 for the eight teams concerned in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, the continental football body said on Tuesday.
The finals were scheduled for Jeddah between April 16 and 25, so holding it close to it at King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City stadiums in the same city is the decision taken by the Asian Football Confederation.
Saudi teams Al Ahli, the domestic title holders, and Al Ittihad will enjoy home advantage. That makes the task harder for Al Wahda who will face Al Ittihad. The ADNOC Pro League champions Shabab Al Ahli also have a tricky one with their rivals in Iranian outfit Tractor FC.
Two-legged knockout games in the East segment of the Champions League went ahead but four home-and-away ties in the West were postponed ever since the US and Israel clashed with Iran on February 2.
A similar one-off match arrangement is on the anvil for the lower divisions ACL Two and Challenge League with the centralised venues to be confirmed soon.
