Hong Kong’s AFC Asian Cup matches moved to Uzbekistan from Nepal
- Women’s team face Nepal and Philippines in qualifiers for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2023 in India and Fifa Women’s World Cup
- Covid-19 concerns were expressed when groups were drawn in June as Tashkent steps in as centralised location
Uzbekistan will step in for Nepal as the hosts of Hong Kong’s upcoming 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers, according to sources, with Hong Kong to play Nepal on September 21 before facing the Philippines on September 24.
Hong Kong, the Philippines and hosts Nepal were set to compete in group F in Nepal after being drawn together in June. The September matches also act as qualifiers for the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023.
However, Covid-19 cases in Nepal have risen to the point where reports suggest that matches will instead be relocated to Uzbekistan, which also acted as a centralised hub for this season’s AFC Champions League group stage.
Nepal remains on Hong Kong’s group A list for overseas travel, along with the Philippines and India, the hosts of next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
The Philippines women have already begun their preparations for the September matches, holding training sessions in the United States.