Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers originally starting next week in Jordan have been moved to Qatar because of the “ongoing situation” in the Middle East, soccer officials said yesterday.
Tensions have escalated in the region after Israel and Iran intensified airstrikes against each other, with the conflict risking the involvement of the US.
The Asian Football Confederation said that matches in qualifying Group A scheduled for Monday until July 5 in the Jordanian capital, Amman, have been moved to Qatar and would now take place from July 7 to July 19.
Photo: AFP
“More details on the venue and match timings will be confirmed in due course,” the confederation said in a statement.
Jordan, Singapore, Iran, Lebanon and Bhutan are in Group A qualifying for the Women’s Asian Cup to be held in Australia in March next year.
The Football Association of Singapore separately said that the move was due to the “ongoing situation in the region and logistical concerns raised by” the participating teams.
There are eight qualifying groups, with the winner of each booking a spot at next year’s showpiece. South Korea, Japan, hosts Australia and holders China are already sure of their places.
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