| November 21, 2018
#106/2018
Asian football legends set to join AFC Champions League draw ceremony Some of the finest stars to have ever graced the Continent's biggest stages will feature in the eagerly-anticipated 2019 AFC Champions League group stage draw at the AFC House on November 22.
Sultan Rashed of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Wesam Rizik of Qatar, Korea Republic's Choi Jin-cheul and Japan's Daiki Iwamasa will be draw ambassadors as Asia's top 32 clubs learn their opponents.
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) General Secretary Dato' Windsor John welcomed the support of the four ambassadors who are widely known for their contribution in the sport, on and off the field.
"Less than two weeks ago, we witnessed Kashima Antlers claim their first-ever title and the competition's richest prize of USD$4 million in a thrilling finale against Persepolis in front of a record crowd of 100,000.
"In 2019, the AFC will build on this great momentum and enhance the competition to ensure that it remains as one of the best continent club tournaments in the world.
"We thank the AFC Champions League Ambassadors. They have given so much to the competition over the years and I am sure that their presence in the competition's group stages draw will be welcomed by football fans across Asia."
Representing the West Zone, Rashed was instrumental in helping Al Ain triumph in the inaugural AFC Champions League in 2003 while Wesam was part of the winning Al Sadd team in 2011 who defeated Korea Republic's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
From the East Zone, Korea Republic's Choi was an important member in the 2002 World Cup side that reached the third and fourth playoff, which remains Asia's best-ever finish at the FIFA World Cup. He also won the AFC Champions League winners' medal with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2006 while former Kashima Antlers star Iwamasa won three J.League titles and was part of the Japanese team that clinched the AFC Asian Cup title in Qatar in 2011. | 
Comments
Post a Comment