CHINA will play its first “home” match in the World Cup 2022 Asian qualifiers final round in Doha, Qatar, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said Friday.

The decision to play the match against Japan on Sept. 7 in a neutral venue was made due to the challenges faced by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) in organizing its home matches in light of travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the AFC said.

“The AFC is now working in close partnership with the CFA, the Japan Football Association as well as the Qatar Football Association to ensure the safe passage and wellbeing of all stakeholders,” it said, adding that venues for the remaining AFC Asian final round qualifiers will be communicated in due course.

Before the match against Japan, China is scheduled to play Australia in an away match Sept. 2. However, Australian media has reported that the match venue might change to Doha after the Australian FA could not get the necessary player quarantine and travel bubble exemptions from governments to allow the qualifier to take place in Sydney.

(Xinhua)