The Asian Football Confederation is weighing its options to help Japan's participation in Asia's premier club competition as teams from the disaster-struck nation are forced to postpone home matches.
With Japan still coming to terms with the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami, two of its teams played away matches this week in the Asian Champions League, but home games are out of the question.
Tokuaki Suzuki, AFC director of competitions, told The AP on this week there are still possibilities for Japanese teams to complete their group matches by the scheduled end date of May 11.
''First of all, we have to express our sincere condolences to the Japanese people and the Japanese football family in regard to this disaster,'' said Japanese-born Suzuki, who is presently based at the AFC's Kuala Lumpur headquarters.
Suzuki said teams whose stadiums are damaged can play elsewhere in Japan, ''but in Japan at the moment there is nowhere to play football.''
''According to our regulations, if the home stadium can't be used, the host can nominate another stadium in Japan. If it can't do that, then the AFC has the right to nominate a neutral venue,'' he said.
''We would like to respect Japanese opinion and what they would like to do.'' Two of the four Japanese teams scheduled to play home games this week - Nagoya Grampus and Kashima Antlers - postponed their matches.
Osaka clubs Gamba and Cerezo, who played away games in China this week, are both likely to postpone their home matches later this month.
''As of now, we know that they still are having severe problems including a lack of electricity and aftershocks,'' Suzuki said. ''Kashima's stadium and clubhouse have been damaged. Every day we communicate with them to offer to help if we can, and also to start to discuss when we can hold the next match.''
Japan's domestic J-League has canceled all games for the month of March and the Japan Football Association has canceled the March 25 international friendly against Montenegro.
''It may be difficult to have the matches in this month. Maybe in April we have to think about it,'' Suzuki said.
Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates and Sydney FC were both due to travel to Japan this week but had to stay home.
''The opponents have been helpful,'' Suzuki said. ''We are grateful to Sydney FC, they quickly offered their condolences and offered to play their away game at home first. Sydney said it will follow whatever option Kashima feels is best.''
The two Japanese teams in action away from home this week were both defeated in China. Gamba Osaka lost 2-1 Tuesday at Tianjin Teda, who now have six points from two games.
Osaka coach Akira was aware of the significance of the game.
''This time we did not come (to China) as Gamba, our mission here is to represent our country and to show the strength of Japan,'' Nishino said.
''We didn't make good moves throughout the game,'' he added. ''I think we were unprepared for an intense match, in which Tianjin turned out to be very offensive and efficient Tianjin looked more powerful than other Chinese rivals that we have encountered in the previous two years.''
Cerezo Osaka lost 2-0 at Shandong Luneng on Wednesday.
It was the South Korean teams that stole the show, with three of the four representatives from that nation leading their groups after an excellent round of matches that saw four wins, 13 goals scored and only one conceded.
K-League champions FC Seoul have the maximum six points after a 3-0 win over Hangzhou Greentown of China, while Jeonbuk Motors also collected a second straight win with a 4-0 victory at the Indonesian home of Arema Malang.
Suwon Bluewings thrashed Shanghai Shenhua 4-0, while Jeju United won 2-1 at Melbourne Victory, the second defeat for the Australian team that fired long-serving coach Ernie Merrick a few days previously.
In the western half of the draw, Saudi Arabia and Iran boast two group leaders each. For Saudi Arabia, two-time champion Al Ittihad and Al Nassr are on top, while for Iran, 2010 finalist Zob Ahan and 2007 runner-up Sepahan lead the way.
