The AFC Champions League 2018 kicks off with four clubs gearing up to advance past the Preliminary Stage 1 qualifiers. Myanmar National League champions Shan United FC will play host to Ceres Negros FC from the Philippines at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon at 4pm local time.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Liga 1 2017 runners-up Bali United will kick start their maiden appearance in the AFC club competitions when they face Singapore’s Tampines Rovers at the Capt. I Wayan Dipta Stadium at 7.30pm local time.

The winners of this year’s AFC Champions League – which is already one of the richest continental club competitions in world football and is second only to Europe – will receive the competition’s largest-ever reward of US$4m, up from US$3m.

The 2018 runners-up will also get an extra US$500,000 taking the total purse to US$2m, while the AFC Cup winners will also bag a record US$1.5m this year.

Twelve months ago few people would have predicted that Bali United would’ve had the season they did and be involved in the preliminary rounds of the AFC Champions League. But that is exactly what happened and now the club stand just three wins away from a historic spot in the group stage of the 2018 AFC Champions League.

Their first assignment is this Tuesday against Singapore’s Tampines Rovers and one of the key players for Bali United will again be Indonesian international Irfan Bachdim (above, far left), who scored nine goals in 30 appearances in the league last season.

Q: How is the excitement level around the club ahead of the match against Tampines Rovers?

It’s super big. From the club itself because they renovated the whole stadium as well, also they had to change some things to get the licence from AFC. So they are super excited and helpful to the team, and also the supporters because everywhere I go now, whether I go to dinner or I walk outside, people here are like ‘16th is the game, 16th is the game’, people are really excited.

For the fourth time in five years Singapore’s Tampines Rovers will enter the preliminary round of qualifying for the AFC Champions League.

But their record so far reads three games for three losses. Facing a difficult away trip to the Indonesian island of Bali to face Bali United, Tampines Rovers are hoping 2018 is the year they get the win they desire to advance to Preliminary Round 2.

One man who will be key to their fortunes is experienced attacker Khairul Amri. the-AFC.com caught up with the 32-year-old to discuss this week’s sudden death playoff.

Shan United's experienced custodian Thiha Sithu will be charged with keeping out the dangerous forward line of reigning AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal champions Ceres Negros when the teams face-off in the one leg Preliminary Round 1 tie at Taunggyi Stadium on January 16.

Ahead of the crucial all-ASEAN clash, the-AFC.com spoke to the Myanmar international stopper to get his thoughts and views.

Q: How are you feeling ahead of the 2018 AFC Champions League match against Ceres Negros?

First of all, I’m very happy and at the same time excited to play in the AFC Champions League. We need to show our best performance in this match.

Philipines international Stephan Schröck joined the-AFC.com for an interview in the lead-up to the highly anticipated kick-off of the 2018 AFC Champions League campaign. The German-born midfielder spoke on opponents Shan United, team goals for this year and football-mad grandmothers!

Hi Stephan, how are you feeling ahead of the 2018 AFC Champions League Preliminary Round 1 tie against Shan United?

I’m very proud that we get to represent our country in the AFC Champions League. This is another milestone for Philippines football and we will make sure we put on a good performance against Shan United.

Speaking of Shan United, what do you know about this team?

To be honest, up to now, not very much. They must be a good team if they became champions in Myanmar, but I'd rather focus on our strengths and game. This is the only thing that matters anyway.

What are your impressions of Myanmar football teams in general - are there any specific qualities they have?

Like I said, I never really look to others, I just focus on our things. We are not overlooking them, but I think we have enough quality to beat them at club level, and also with the national team.

Ahead of the one-legged match at Kapten l Wayan Dipta Stadium, the-AFC.com caught up with Bali’s Netherlands-born Garuda international Stefano Lilipaly to find out his views on the hotly anticipated encounter.

Q. How big of an occasion is this for Bali United?

For a club like us, this is a very big step. But it’s part of the process that the Tanuri family has in mind with Bali United. And I hope we can improve ourselves even more as we’re representing Indonesian football.

Q. How have the fans reacted to Bali’s recent success and the fact that you will be playing in Asian club competitions?

The Bali fans are so excited and the fan base is only growing. I hope we can keep the same level and focus as last season because then we have a big chance to survive against other teams. But, believe me, when we play at home, the support we get will always surprise the opposition.

Shan United vs Ceres Negros

4:00pm, January 16
Taunggyi Stadium, Taunggyi