PANAJI
FC Goa will host the Group E matches of the AFC Champions League (ACL) in Goa.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Thursday confirmed the venues for the ACL 2021 group stage matches and the hosting rights for the West region matches have been allotted to Goa, which is also the venue for the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL).
The Gaurs became the first team from India to get direct qualification for the continental tournament after finishing at the top of the points table in the league phase of ISL 2019-20. They have been grouped alongside Iran's Persepolis FC, Qatar's Al Rayyan SC and the fourth team will be the winner of the West region playoffs. Their matches are scheduled to take place from April 14-30.
“On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to thank all our Member Associations for their interest in hosting our club competitions and commitment towards ensuring we continue to place the safety and wellbeing of our players, teams, and officials at the forefront of all our priorities,” Dato’ Windsor John, the AFC general secretary, said.
“The AFC is most grateful for the support of the AFC Competitions Committee and our commercial partners and we will continue to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders as we strive to ensure a safe and successful 2021 club football season.”
The group stage draw of the continent's top-tier league involving 40 teams was held online in Kuala Lumpur. This season's AFC Champions League is the biggest-ever in history as it was a 32-team affair last time around.
The winner of each of the 10 groups and three best runners-up from each region -- west and east -- advance to the round of 16 of the knockout stage.
The league kicks off with the preliminary stage on April 7. The knock-out matches in the Round of 16 are scheduled for September 13-15 and the quarter-finals on September 27-29. Both rounds will be played as single matches.
The semi-finals will be over two legs on October 19-20 and 26-27. The two-leg final will be held on November 21 and 27.
FC GOA MATCHES
April 14: FC Goa vs Al-Rayyan
April 17: Al-Wahda/Al-Zawraa vs FC Goa
April 20: Persepolis vs FC Goa
April 23: FC Goa vs Persepolis
April 26: Al-Rayyan vs FC Goa
April 29: FC Goa vs Al-Wahda/Al-Zawraa
