Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Clubs in the Asian Football Confederation's Central, South and East Zones will take to the stage for the first time in the 2017 AFC Cup as Groups D, E and I get underway on Tuesday.
Among the contenders will be India’s JSW Bengaluru FC and FC Istiklol of Tajikistan, runners-up in 2016 and 2015 respectively, whiles sides from both DPR Korea and Mongolia will make their maiden AFC Cup appearances.
CENTRAL
After upsetting the odds to finish as runners-up in 2015, Istiklol suffered group stage elimination last year and will next begin their 2017 AFC Cup campaign with a home tie against Dordoi FC of the Kyrgyz Republic on Tuesday.
Group D’s second side from the Kyrgyz Republic, FC Alay, will welcome Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr when they make their return to the tournament after a three-year hiatus.
FC Istiklol (TJK) v Dordoi FC (KGZ)
Venue: Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe
Kick-off: March 14, 18:30 UTC+5
FC Alay (KGZ) v Altyn Asyr (TKM)
Venue: Akhmatbek Suyinbaev Stadium, Osh
Kick-off: March 14, 14:00 UTC+6
SOUTH
AFC Cup runners-up last year, Bengaluru will open their 2017 campaign with a home fixture against countrymen Mohun Bagan in Group E on Tuesday.
Bengaluru suffered a 1-0 defeat to Iraq’s Air Force Club in the 2016 final while Mohun Bagan, after being eliminated in the round of 16 last year, advanced to the tournament after defeating Club Valencia of the Maldives in the play-off round.
Also in Group E, Abahani Limited Dhaka will welcome Maldivians Maziya Sports & Recreation to the Bangladeshi capital as the sides seek to put early points on the board and steal a march on at least one of the Indian group favourites.
JSW Bengaluru FC (IND) v Mohun Bagan (IND)
Venue: Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore
Kick-off: March 14, 19:00 UTC+5:30
Abahani Limited Dhaka (BAN) v Maziya Sports & Recreation (MDV)
Venue: Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka
Kick-off: March 14, 18:10 UTC+6
East
The three-team Group I will also kick off on Tuesday when Mongolian champions Erchim FC travel to Pyongyang to take on 4.25 SC of DPR Korea.
The match marks the first time either side has taken part in the AFC Cup, with 4.25 appearing on the continent for the first time in 25 years after they participated in the 1992 Asian Club Championship and Erchim’s last continental tournament being the 2014 AFC President’s Cup.
Group I’s other team, Kigwancha SC, also of DPR Korea, will have to wait until early April before they open their 2017 AFC Cup campaign.
4.25 SC v Erchim FC
Venue: May Day Stadium, Pyongyang
Kick-off: March 14, 16:00 UTC+8:30
Photo: Lagardère Sports