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SCMP Sport

Shanghai Port will miss this year’s Asian Champions League, with Covid-19 lockdowns in the city leaving the team unable to travel.
The Asian Football Confederation confirmed the withdrawal of Shanghai Port FC, adding that all matches involving the club will be cancelled.
Shanghai Port will not be replaced in the competition and just three teams will remain in Group J, including Hong Kong’s Kitchee SC, Vissel Kobe from Japan and Chiangrai United from Thailand.
Shanghai, who reached the semi-finals of the AFC Cup in 2017, was due to kick-start their campaign on Saturday against Vissel Kobe in the northern Thai city of Buriram.




















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A post shared by 傑志足球隊官方Instagram帳戶 (@kitcheeofficial)



The remaining matches in Group J schedule will continue as planned, with Kitchee SC set to face Chiangrai United on April 16 while Vissel Kobe will open their campaign against Kitchee SC on April 19 at the Buriram Stadium.
The three teams will battle it out for the one automatic ticket to the next round, while the second-placed side will also have a chance to advance as one of the three best-placed runners-up.
Both Kitchee and Chiangrai United performed well in 2021 as the pair went close to qualifying for the Round of 16, and they will be keen to take the next step in this year’s competition.

Shanghai are the second Chinese club to pull out of the 2022 AFC Champions League after Changchun Yatai withdrew last month. Shandong Taishan and Guangzhou FC are the country’s last two representatives.
Shanghai rewrote the daily Covid-19 infections record for the 10th straight day with 26,087 new cases on Monday, as six rounds of mass testing uncovered more carriers of the coronavirus in China’s financial hub.
Lockdowns have also seen Shanghai Shenhua FC withdraw from the opening round of the 2022 China Women’s One League, due to kick-off on April 11 in Haigeng, Kunming.
Start of the 2022 Chinese Super League season could also be postponed due to the tightening of restrictions and increased lockdowns.


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AFC Champions League 2: Inspired Tai Po fighting for Hong Kong’s reputation

AFC Champions League

Covid-19 lockdowns force Shanghai Port out of Asian Champions League

Shanghai Port’s Li Ang (right) tackles Shandong Taishan’s Marouane Fellaini during the 2021 FA Cup final in Chengdu. Photo: Xinhua

Aaron Mooy (left) of Shanghai Port FC passes the ball during the first round match between Shanghai Port and Tianjin JMT FC. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese star Wu Lei called ‘light of Chinese football’ as he ends 666-day goal drought in La Liga

Espanyol’s Wu Lei celebrates his goal during a La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and RC Celta in Cornella, Spain. Photo: Xinhua

Espanyol’s Wu Lei (right) celebrates victory with Sergi Darder after a La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and RC Celta in Cornella. Photo: Xinhua

Coronavirus: Hong Kong sports community welcomes reopening of facilities 2 weeks earlier than expected

Hong Kong football team can resume training at Tseung Kwan O Training Centre after government’s latest decision to reopen facilities for sports. Photo: Felix Wong

Sports Commissioner Yeung Tak-keung (left) and Football Association chairman Pui Kwan-kay. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Prolific striker Dejan Damjanovic (middle) is now training with Kitchee in Thailand. Photo: Kitchee

Sports Institute in Fo Tan is still open for athletes to prepare for the 2022 Asian Games. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Hong Kong team members can resume training at Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. Photo: Winson Wong

Asian Champions League: Kitchee suffer injury blow after defender Dani Cancela ruled out of group stage

Cancela talks to coach Chu Chi-kwong in their first friendly match in Bangkok. Photo: Kitchee

Dani Cancela (right, first row) in the starting line-up of Kitchee’s first training match. Photo: Kitchee

Dani Cancela’s name cannot be found in the match against Chonburi over the weekend. Photo: Kitchee

Sport

Football

China


AFC Champions League said all matches involving Shanghai Port will be cancelled with no replacement for the club in Group J
With Shanghai Port out, Guangzhou FC and Shandong Taishan are China’s last remaining representatives



The Asian Football Confederation confirmed the withdrawal of Shanghai Port FC from the AFC Champions League 2022, adding that all matches involving the club will be cancelled.


Shanghai