DOHA: Qatar earning plaudits from players of visiting clubs has been a recurring feature of the nation’s hosting of the East Zone leg of the 2020 AFC Champions League as a centralized venue. From the start of the tournament, South Korean international and Al Rayyan’s former QSL winner Koh Myong-jin, fellow Ulsan Hyundai and South Korea midfielder Yoon Bit-garam and Shanghai Shenhua and China winger Yu Hanchao have all waxed eloquent about enjoying their returns to the 2022 FIFA World Cup host nation. On Thursday, they were joined by Shanghai SIPG midfielder Cai Huikang and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors full-back Choi Chul-soon. Cai had played at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium at Al Sadd SC while on China national team duty during a World Cup qualifiers in October 2015 whereas Choi had started for South Korea in their 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier at the same venue in June 2017. Both admitted they have been swept off their feet by the tournament infrastructure in use during the 2020 AFC Champions League. The facilities in Qatar are excellent and this helps players to focus on their football,” Choi, who has made 11 international appearances, told media ahead of the South Korean domestic champions final Group H game against Cai’s side. “The facilities have improved from 2017 [when he last visited] and hosting this centralized competition has also been a very good experience for Qatar while preparing for the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” the two-time AFC Champions League winner with Jeonbuk signed off. Cai, a holding midfielder with 22 international appearances for China, showered praises on Qatar’s football infrastructure.   “I have always been impressed by Qatar and Doha - the city has many good stadiums,” he said. “The stadiums have good designs and accessories. The only thought a player has is in such stadiums is to come out on the pitch and play. When I came to play here for the national team [in 2015], the first thing that went through my mind is that I want to play the match.” The 2018 Chinese Super League winner may not have featured in any of the four 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers played till date by the China national team, but he fervently hopes Li Tie’s side can get to play in Qatar in 2022. “I hope the national team goes far in the Qualifiers and are able to make the 2022 FIFA World Cup. My wishes are with the team.” Cai’s fellow former China international and cross-city rival Yu Hanchao had also praised the stadiums in Qatar ahead of his club Shanghai Shenhua’s first group game against Australia’s Perth Glory on 18 November at the Education City Stadium. “The stadiums in Qatar are magnificent,” he had told the media when asked about his return to a 2022 FIFA WC venue after starting the 2018 FIFA WC Asian Qualifier at the Khalifa International Stadium in September 2017. “It is not just the stadiums but the overall environment – it makes a player to perform to the best of his abilities,” the 33-year-old winger had said.