Message from the President of the East Asian Football Federation

Dear colleagues, dear friends and all others involved,

Welcome to the E-1 Football Championship 2022 Final Japan.

It gives me tremendous pleasure to welcome you all to this very special edition of our flagship competition, celebrating twenty years of the East Asian Football Federation. This promises to be a jubilant expression of the sport we love.

Looking back at the past twenty years and eight editions of tournaments, we have together witnessed the prosperity and development of the EAFF. We will rightly be able to take this opportunity to consider all that we have achieved over this time and anticipate all that is still to come.

Despite that the tournament is happening a year later than planned, due to our collective efforts in dealing with the challenges brought by the pandemic, we can now be more optimistic about what lies ahead, in what is a tournament of hope.

As our attention rightfully now turns to the field of play, we welcome the national teams of China PR, Japan and Korea Republic as well as the women’s team of Chinese Taipei and the men’s team of Hong Kong. Over nine days we will see them engage in top competition, showcasing the true potential of our region. I wish the players, the coaches, the match officials and all the others involved the best of luck in performing to the highest standard.

Finally, a word for the Local Organising Committee and host cities. At such short notice to come together to arrange such a remarkable Competition is without doubt inspiring to us all. I have complete confidence that it will be memorable for all who have the pleasure to be involved. I also want to take this chance to thank our ten Member Associations, Official Sponsors and Supporters as well as our partners Dentsu Inc. for their support. Last but by no means least, I want to thank the fans, you are the soul of the game.

H.E. DU Zhaocai
President, East Asian Football Federation