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The anticipation is building around AFC Cup 2023-24 as 10 teams from across Asia are gearing up for five one-legged Preliminary Round 2 ties starting on Tuesday with the aim of moving a step closer to a place in the continental competition.
The qualification action began on August 8 when Nepal’s Machhindra FC came from behind to defeat Bhutan’s Paro FC 3-2 in the only Preliminary Round 1 match in Kathmandu and moved on to the next stage where they are now joined by nine other contenders battling for places in the playoffs.
Ahead of the upcoming gamess, join AFC Media as we look at the 10 sides from the South, Central and ASEAN zones who will take to the pitch in the coming days.
South Asia Zone
After losing in the Inter-Zone semifinals last season, India’s Mohun Bagan Super Giant return with the aim of reaching the group stage for the third consecutive time. Spanish head coach Juan Ferrando has strengthened his squad by acquiring Australia striker Jason Cummings as well as India internationals Sahal Abdul Samad and Anwar Ali as the Kolkata side begin their quest to go deep into the tournament once more.
On Wednesday, they face Nepal’s Machhindra FC, who posted their first-ever win in the tournament when they overcame Paro FC in the previous round. In their second preliminary round appearance, the Kathmandu side have their hopes pinned on striker Afeez Olawale Oladipo and midfielder Andres Nia Tchounkeu while forward Bimal Gharti Magar will be keen to make a mark against his former club.
After exiting at this stage in their last two attempts, Bangladesh’s Abahani Limited Dhaka are looking to return to the group stage for the first time since 2019. Four years ago, they created history by finishing above Indian sides Chennaiyin FC and Minerva Punjab to advance to the Inter-Zone semifinals as South Zone champions, becoming the first Bangladeshi side to go beyond the group stage.
Abahani’s opponents on Wednesday will be Club Eagles of the Maldives who return to the qualifying rounds after previously appearing in 2021. Runners-up in two of the last three seasons domestically, Eagles go into the game with Brazilian striker Ivan Carlos in fine goalscoring form and he is ably partnered in the attack by Maldives international Ibrahim Mahudhee.
Central Asia Zone
Turkmenistan’s FC Merw bowed out in the group stage in their only previous appearance back in 2006, when a 2-2 draw against India’s Dempo SC saw them get their only point on board. Having finished third in the 2022 Turkmenistan league to advance to the AFC Cup qualification rounds, they now need to shake off this season’s poor domestic form as they sit second-from-bottom in the nine-team league.
On Tuesday, Merw will face Kyrgyz Republic’s FC Alay, who have been regulars in the AFC Cup and are set for their seventh appearance since 2014. Captained by goalkeeper Dastan Alibekov, the Osh-based outfit recently acquired the services of Uzbek duo Nodirbek Ibragimov and Shokhrukhbek Muratov while Kyrgyz Republic international Danila Sokirchenko has also joined them to bolster their defence.
ASEAN Zone
After making seven group stage appearances in the AFC Cup between 2012 and 2020, Yangon United of Myanmar are looking to return to the tournament proper after a brief hiatus. Guinean striker Sekou Sylla is the top scorer in the Myanmar National League this season with 11 goals while new signing Jose Adolfo Valencia has also been among the goals and will look to make an impact in Asia.
Wednesday’s opponents DPMM FC, who play their league football in Singapore where they were champions in 2015 and 2019, are making their AFC Cup debut after winning the 2022 Brunei FA Cup. Young Brunei Darussalam forward Hakeme Yazid Said and Belerusian Andrey Voronkov will be their main weapons in attack as the Bandar Seri Begawan club aim to create history by becoming the first side from their country to reach the group stage.
After appearing in the AFC Cup group stage for the first time in 2022, Cambodian Premier League champions Phnom Penh Crown FC will look to replicate their domestic success at the continental stage. Ukrainian head coach Oleg Starynskyi’s side is made up of national team stars like Orn Chanpolin and Lim Pisoth and have also recently added Myanmar defender Soe Moe Kyaw and Brazilian midfielder Denilson to their squad.
Standing in their way on Wednesday are familiar opponents in Lao League 1 champions Young Elephants FC. The Vientiane club have dominated the domestic scene in Laos in recent years, winning back-to-back league titles and Lao FF Cups. The Elephants suffered a 4-2 defeat to Phnom Penh in the group stage during their debut campaign last year, so will be keen to get a better result this time around.
