The AFC Champions League trophy (Photo: AFC)
SINGAPORE, 17 JANUARY 2022 – The Lion City Sailors will find themselves facing two-time Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) winners Urawa Red Diamonds in their maiden campaign this year.
The reigning AIA Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions were drawn into Group F (East Zone) earlier today at the ceremony, which was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Kim Do-hoon’s charges will also face defending Chinese Super League and FA Cup holders Shandong Taishan and and the winner of the playoff between K League 1 outfit Daegu FC and Thailand’s Buriram United.
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“We’re looking forward to the challenge of testing ourselves against the best in Asia, even as we continue to strengthen and build capabilities at the club,” Sailors Chief Executive, Chew Chun-Liang, said to the club website. “Coach Kim and the team are under no illusions about the task that lies ahead in the ACL, but plans have been made, and the team are working hard so we can fly the Singapore flag with pride when the competition kicks off.”
The 2022 ACL tournament is split into the East and West regions, which each feature five groups of four teams. Each team will play one another twice in a centralised venue between 15 April to 1 May. All group winners, along with the three best runners-up from each region, will advance to the Round of 16, which is set to be contested in August.