Hong Kong’s Kitchee SC heading to Thailand, as host nations confirmed for 2022 AFC Champions League
- The Hong Kong champions have been drawn in Group J alongside mainland team Shanghai Port and Chiangrai United, from Thailand
- In 2021, Kitchee ranked second in the group stage with 11 points, raising hopes for an improved campaign this year
Hong Kong’s Kitchee SC will head to Thailand for the second year in a row, after host cities for the 2022 AFC Champions League were announced.
The Asian Football Confederation has confirmed Thailand will host three of the East Asia groups, while Vietnam and Malaysia will host one each. The AFC Champions League plays its top tier club competition in two regional sections – East and West – with the winners of each side meeting in the final.
Last month, the Hong Kong Premier League champions were drawn in Group J, along with former semi-finalists Shanghai Port, Thailand’s Chiangrai United and either Vissel Kobe, from Japan, or Australia’s Melbourne Victory.
While the host city for Group J is still to be confirmed, the AFC said group stage matches were set for an April 15 kick off. The team said they would be hoping to better last year’s performance, but face a tough Group J draw.
“In 2021, Kitchee made history as we ranked second in group stage with 11 points, proving that Hong Kong football is a force to be reckoned with in Asia,” the team said via social media. “In 2022, Kitchee will push forward in the pursuit of the highest honour in Asia.”