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Reigning Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC are all set to make their debut in Asia competition through the 2019 AFC Cup, beginning with the play-off round in March next year. They will face the winners of the preliminary round clash between Bhutan’s Transport United and Sri Lanka’s Colombo SC over two legs for a place in the group stage, it was announced at the official 2019 AFC Cup draw today.
This marks a historic moment in the club’s history, as Chennaiyin FC become the first ISL franchise to qualify for the competition, progressing to the play-off stage in the first attempt after AFC announced a slot for the ISL winners in 2017. Chennaiyin FC are among two of the most newly formed clubs participating in the 2019 AFC Cup, having been formed only a little more than four years back in August 2014.
Chennaiyin FC will play either Transport United or Colombo SC on March 6 away from home before hosting the second leg a week later on March 13. And if they overcome that challenge, Chennaiyin FC progress to Group E, which will comprise four clubs from South Asia.
If Chennaiyin FC progress to the group stage, they will be up against current I-League champions Minerva Punjab FC and representatives from Bangladesh and Nepal. Minerva Punjab FC will feature only if they fail to progress to the AFC Champions League group stage. And the identity of clubs from Bangladesh and Nepal will be known closer to the group stage.
Chennaiyin FC 2019 AFC Cup Play-Off Round Fixtures:
1st Leg – 06-Mar-2019: Transport United (BHUTAN) // Colombo FC (SRI LANKA) vs Chennaiyin FC
2nd Leg – 13-Mar-2019: Chennaiyin FC vs Transport United (BHUTAN) // Colombo FC (SRI LANKA)
