The delayed Asian Champions League kicked off on Wednesday with teams from Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq winning playoff matches to advance to the group stage.
Former Ajax coach Henk ten Cate led Abu Dhabi’s Al-Wahda to a 2-1 victory over Iraq’s Al-Zawraa, while Jovan Djokic scored in the last minute of extra time for give the AGMK of Uzbekistan a 1-0 victory over Al-Gharafa of Qatar to reach the group stage for the first time.
Iraqi Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya won a penalty shootout 3-2 against Saudi Arabia Al-Wehda after a 1-1 draw.
The playoffs on the east side of the draw with Australians Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City, and teams from Myanmar and the Philippines have been pushed back until June due to travel restrictions put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19 .
The western half of the group stage kicks off next Wednesday while the eastern half is set to start in June or July.
