—- The Asian Football Confederation has confirmed the host nations for the Champions League 2022™ (East) Group Stage matches, which will be held from April 15 to May 1.

The centralised matches of three groups – F, G and J – will be played in Thailand, with Group H scheduled to take place in Vietnam while Group I will be staged in Malaysia.

Buriram, Thailand will provide the stage for the matches in Group F, which will feature China PR’s Shandong Taishan FC, two-time AFC Champions League winners Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan, Singapore’s Lion City Sailors and the winners of the Playoff Stage match between Korea Republic’s Daegu FC and Thailand’s Buriram United.

Meanwhile, Group G will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, where Australia’s Melbourne City will mark their debut campaign alongside Thailand’s BG Pathum United, Korean FA Cup winners Jeonbuk Dragons and United City FC from the Philippines.

The matches in Group H will be hosted in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, with two-time winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors from Korea Republic set to face off against Yokohama F Marinos from Japan, Vietnam’s Hoang Anh Gia Lai and the winners of the playoffs featuring China PR’s Changchun Yatai and the winners of the Preliminary Stage contest between Kaya-Iloilo FC from the Philippines and Australia’s Sydney FC.

Johor Bahru, Malaysia will present the backdrop for the matches in Group I, which comprises J1 League winners Kawasaki Frontale, eight-time Chinese Super League and two-time AFC Champions League winners Guangzhou FC as well as Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim and the winners of the playoff tie between former champions Ulsan Hyundai and Thailand’s Port FC.

Finally, the host city for Group J in Thailand, which will be headlined by former semi-finalists Shanghai Port from China PR, Thailand’s Chiangrai United, Kitchee SC from Hong Kong and either Vissel Kobe from Japan or Australia’s Melbourne Victory, will be confirmed in due course.

Similarly, the centralised host nations for the AFC Champions League 2022™ (West) Group Stage matches will be communicated once finalised.

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