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The official draw for the 2018 AFC Cup was carried out in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday with the South Zone (Group E) set to once more feature two Indian club sides.
I-League champions Aizawl FC are playing the AFC Champions League qualifiers. If they lose they will play in the AFC Cup and if they win and qualify for the AFC Champions League, then I-League runners-up Mohun Bagan AC take their place.
2016 finalists and 2017 semifinalists, Bengaluru FC as the 2017 Federation Cup champions will play in the South Zone qualifiers. In the first round qualifiers, Bengaluru FC will face Transport United of Bhutan in a home and away tie. If they win they face the winner of a tie between teams from Bangladesh and the Maldives in another two-legged encounter.
The fixtures for the Preliminary and Play-off stages – as well as the clubs competing in them – were also finalised at the event.
2018 AFC CUP
WEST ASIA ZONE
Group A: Malkiya Club (BHR), Al Jazeera (JOR), Air Force Club (IRQ), Winner of PO WEST 3 (OMA/PLE)
Group B: Al Ahed (LIB), Manama Club (BHR), Al Jaish (SYR), Al Zawraa Club (IRQ)
Group C: Al Faisaly or AL Wendat (JOR), Al Ansar FC (LIB), Dhofar Club (OMA), Al Wahda (SYR)
CENTRAL ZONE
Group D: FC Istiklol (TJK), Turkmenistan 1st Club, FC Alay (KGZ), PO – winner (TJK/TKM/KGZ)
SOUTH ZONE
Group E: Aizawl FC (IND) or Mohun Bagan (IND), New Radiant SC (MDV), Bangladesh 1st Club, PO – Winner (IND/MDV/BHU)
ASEAN ZONE
Group F: Philippines 1st Club or 3rd club, Home United FC (SIN), Shan United (MYA) or Yadanarbon FC (MYA), Winner of PO Asean 3 (LAO/CAM)
Group G: Bali United FC (IDN) or Madura United (IDN), Philippines 2nd Club, FLC Than Hoa (VIE) or Hanoi FC (VIE), Yangon United FC (MYA)
Group H: Tampines Rovers (SIN) or Geylang International FC (SIN), Persija Jakarta (IDN), Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) or Selangor FA (MAS), Song Lam Nghe An FC (VIE)
Group I: 4.25 SC (PRK), Hang Yuen FC (TPE), Benfica Macau (MAC), PO – Winner (PRK/MNG)
Preliminary Stage and Play-off Stage Match Schedule
West Playoff
22 January – Hilal Alquds Club (PLE) vs. Al Suwaiq (OMA)
29 January – Al Suwaiq (OMA) vs. Hilal Alqudsclub (PLE)
Manama Club (BHR) & Al Ansar FC (LIB) – receive bye to AFC Cup 2018 Group Stage
ASEAN Playoff
22 January – Cambodia 1st club vs. Philippines 2nd Club
29 January – Philippines 2nd Club vs. Cambodia 1st Club
22 January – Lao Toyota FC (LAO) vs.Home United FC (SIN)
29 January – Home United FC (SIN) vs.Lao Toyota FC (LAO)
Yangon United FC (MYA) – receive bye to AFC Cup 2018 Group Stage
Central Preliminary
January 23 – Dordoi FC (KGZ) vs. Turkmenistan 2nd Club
January 30 – Turkmenistan 2nd Club vs.Dordoi FC (KGZ)
Central Play-off
February 13 – Winner PS 2 vs. FC Khujand
February 20 – FC Khujand (TJK) vs. Winner PS 2
South Preliminary
January 23 – Transport United (BHU) vs. Bengaluru FC (IND)
January 30 – Bengaluru FC (IND) vs.Transport United (BHU)
January 23 – Bangladesh 2nd Club vs. Maldives 2nd Club
January 30 – Maldives 2nd Club vs. Bangladesh 2nd Club
South Play-off
February 13 – Winner PS 2 vs. Winner PS 1
February 20 – Winner PS 1 vs. Winner PS 2
East Play-off
February 13 – Erchim FC (MNG) vs. Hwaepul SC (PRK)
February 20 – Hwaepul SC (PRK) vs Erchim FC (MNG)
