Qatar ¨C The Asian Football Confederation said Friday it has shifted Sunday¡¯s Asian Champions League east zone semifinal between Vissel Kobe and Ulsan Hyundai from Doha¡¯s Al Janoub Stadium to the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.
Asian soccer¡¯s governing body said the decision was made to preserve the Al Janoub Stadium pitch for the Dec. 19 final between the winner of Sunday¡¯s game and Iran¡¯s Persepolis, which qualified from the west zone.
Former champion Ulsan Hyundai beat Beijing Guoan 2-0 at the Al Janoub Stadium before Vissel Kobe reached the last-four with a 7-6 penalty shootout win against Suwon Bluewings at the same venue in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
The AFC said in a statement it agreed to the change of venue for the semifinal following a proposal by the Qatar Football Association.
Persepolis qualified for the final after coming through a tournament featuring teams from the western half of the continent.
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