AFC stint boost for PHL football

WIN or lose, United City Football Club’s upcoming stint in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League would not only benefit the club but the entire Philippine football as well, according to United City president Eric Gottschalk.

“That’s too impactful,” Gottschalk told Businessmirror in a phone interview over the weekend. “This type of exposure will be of benefit not only to my club, but the whole Philippine football scene.”

Besides United City, Kaya Football Club will also see action in the Champions’ League preliminary stage by virtue of the two club’s 1-2 finish in the Philippine Football League last season.

“With Kaya and United City playing in Asian competitions, we’ll draw a lot of eyeballs in what’s happening in Philippine football,” he said. “The sports teams are going to be good, they’re competitive, and a lot of people will take notice of what Philippine football is all about.”

United City is bracketed in Group I of the group stage with Beijing (China), Kawasaki Frontale (Japan) and winner of the preliminary match between Daegu (South Korea and Chiangrai United (Thailand).

The top Philippine Club plays Beijing on April 21, the winner of the Daegu-changrai match on April 24, Kawasaki Frontale on April 27 and April 30, Beijing again on May 3.

If United City finishes in the top two in its group, the team advances to the round-of-16.

Kaya, on the other hand, needs to beat Brisbane Roar on April 7 to advance further.

Venues and times of the matches will still be determined because of concerns on the pandemic.