FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation have postponed three of the Philippine Azkals’ Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022/AFC Asian Cup China 2023 preliminary joint qualification second-round matches due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
According to an advisory by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), the Azkals' home match against Guam on March 26, the away match against China on June 4, and the home match against Maldives on June 9 were all postponed following consultation with AFC members.
“FIFA and the AFC will continue to assess the situation in relation to COVID-19 and will decide whether further changes to the schedule of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 / AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 qualifying matches are required, always with the aim of protecting the safety and health of all individuals involved,” said the PFF in a statement.
The PFF, however, said the involved member associations can still push through with the match during the Fifa international window but subject to the approval of the Fifa and AFC.
“PFF exhorts the general public, all football stakeholders and fans to remain vigilant and take all necessary safety precautions amidst the current COVID-19 situation,” the PFF added.
The Azkals are in third place in Group A with seven points behind leader Syria (15 points) and China (seven points). The top two teams in each group will move to the third round of the Fifa World Cup qualifying as well as gain a spot in the Asian Cup in 2023.
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