Syrian Wahda to participate in AFC Cup

Sport

Kuala Lumpur: The draw for the 2015 AFC Cup took place on Thursday with a record 41 participating teams learning their first steps to glory in the ever-evolving continental club competition.

 According to the AFC.com, the draw, conducted by AFC General Secretary Dato’ Alex Soosay, featured member associations that had previously contested the AFC President’s Cup, the last edition of which took place back in September as the Confederation opens the door for more countries to participate at the highest level of club competition.

The increase in the number of member associations taking part has seen the introduction of a preliminary stage ahead of the play-offs, while teams from nations that are taking part in the AFC Champions League have alternates on standby for the AFC Cup should the league champions from these countries successfully advance to the group phase of Asia’s flagship club tournament.

Three-time champions Kuwait SC are looking to extend their record haul of AFC Cup titles and are in confident mood following Tuesday’s draw in Kuala Lumpur.

In Group D, Kuwait SC will face either Bahraini outfit Riffa or Manama, Nejmah of Lebanon and one of four teams who advance from the AFC Cup play-offs in the East.

Last year’s runners-up Erbil of Iraq could face their opponents from the 2014 final in Group C if Qadsia fail to make it through the AFC Champions League play-offs. If the Kuwaiti side proves successful, though, Al Arabi will be their replacements and join newcomers Istiklol from Tajikistan, as well as a successful AFC Cup play-off team.

Elsewhere in the West, Group B will see Iraqi Premier League champions Al Shorta take on a pair of debutants in Palestine’s Taraji Wadi Al Nes and Al Jazeera of Jordan, in addition to a play-off winner.

Syrian side Al Wahda, though, will have to wait until the completion of the AFC Champions League play-offs to learn their opponents in Group A as Jordan’s Al Wehdat, and Al Nahda of Oman are all involved in the early February’s fixtures with That Ras Club and Al Suwaiq their potential replacements, whilst a play-off winner rounds out the group.

In the East, meanwhile, Group E features last year’s semi-finalists PersipuraJayapura of Indonesia alongside I-League champions Bengaluru FC who make their first appearance in the AFC Cup. Warriors FC or Tampines Rovers join the duo along with a play-off winner.

Group G encompasses South China of Hong Kong, Malaysian team Pahang FA, Philippines top-flight champions Global FC and either Yadnarbon or Yangon United of Myanmar depending on the former’s fortunes in the AFC Champions League play-offs.

Hong Kong’s AFC Champions League hopefuls Kitchee or alternates Sun Pegasus make-up Group F alongside East Bengal of India, Singaporean outfit BalestierKhalsa, and either Johor DarulTa’zim or Selangor of Malaysia.

Finally, Group H contains either Persib Bandung of Indonesia or Arema Indonesia, Ayeyawady United from Myanmar, first-timers Lao Toyota FC and Maldivian club New Radiant.

The AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs concludes on 17 February, with the AFC Cup group stage beginning on 25/26 February.

M.D

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