Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has been made aware of travel restrictions put in place by Governments of several Participating Member Associations, due to the coronavirus outbreak, which have resulted in the postponement of the AFC Cup 2020 Preliminary Stage matches between Ulaanbaatar City FC (MGL) and Taipower Company (TPE), scheduled to be played on February 5 and 12, 2020 respectively.
Taking into consideration the overall logistical arrangements as well as match preparations of the East Zone Participating Clubs, the AFC has decided that, as per Article 7.3 of the Competition Regulations, the AFC Cup 2020 (East Zone) Preliminary, Playoff and Group Stage matches will be postponed and will recommence on April 7, 2020.
In addition, the AFC also confirms that Turkmenistan’s FA Ahal are considered to have withdrawn from the tournament due to their failure to report for their Preliminary Round 2 Central Zone match against Kyrgyz Republic’s FC Neftchi on February 05, 2020, in accordance to Article 6.1 of the AFC Cup 2020 Competition Regulations.
Therefore, FC Neftchi will now face Tajikistan’s FC Khujand over two legs in the Central Zone playoffs on Feb 19 and 26 for a place in the Group Stage of the 2020 AFC Cup.