China plays “home” Olympic qualifier in Sydney due to virus

By: The Associated Press Posted: 10:57 PM CST Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020 Last Modified: 11:29 PM CST Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020

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SYDNEY, Australia - The Asian Football Confederation said Friday that China's scheduled home match against South Korea in the final round of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics will be held in Sydney due to concern over the China virus.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/02/2020 (2397 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SYDNEY, Australia – The Asian Football Confederation said Friday that China’s scheduled home match against South Korea in the final round of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics will be held in Sydney due to concern over the China virus.

The Chinese women’s team has remained in Australia since last week’s 1-1 draw with Australia which meant China would play South Korea in a two-match contest.

China and South Korea will first meet in Yongin, near Seoul, on March 6, followed by a March 11 match in western Sydney.

Commuters ride in a quiet subway train during the morning rush hour in Beijing, Monday, Feb. 17, 2020. Chinese authorities on Monday reported a slight upturn in new virus cases and hundred more deaths for a total of thousands since the outbreak began two months ago. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Australia’s two playoff matches against Vietnam will take place on the same dates, with the team’s home leg set for McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle north of Sydney.

The winners of the semifinals will advance to the Tokyo Games along with hosts Japan.

A viral outbreak that began in China has infected more than 76,000 people globally. The World Health Organization has named the illness COVID-19, referring to its origin late last year and the coronavirus that causes it. More than 2,200 have died.