Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: There are five AFC Cup Play-off games on Tuesday, with the prize of a spot in the competition’s Group Stage on offer for the winners.
Maziya Sports and Recreation v Ceres La Selle FC
Winners to go in Group D along with Bengaluru FC, Persipura Jayapura and Warriors FC
Maziya earned a spot in the AFC Cup play-offs after beating New Radiant on penalties to win the Maldives FA Cup for the second time in three years in 2014. They went out at the Group Stage on their AFC Cup debut in 2013. The new league season has yet to start in the Maldives, but Maziya were beaten to the People’s Cup 2015 title by PDRM FA on January 29.
How they qualified: Maldives FA Cup winners
Past AFC Cups: 2013 – Group stage
Ceres La Salle secured a spot in the AFC Cup Play-offs after they beat Global 2-1 in the final of the United Football League FA League Cup. They also won the PFF National Men’s Club Championship in 2014 and appeared in the Group Stage of the AFC President’s Cup.
How they qualified: Philippines UFL FA League Cup winners
No previous AFC Cup appearances
Salam Zgharta v FC Khayr
Winners to go in Group A along with Al Nahda, Al Wahda and Al Wehdat
Salam Zgharta narrowly avoided relegation from the Lebanese top flight in 2014 but they secured a place in the AFC Cup Play-offs for the very first time after winning the Lebanese FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Tripoli in the final. They are struggling again domestically in 2015, and are currently tenth in the Lebanese Premier League, with their latest outing a 5-4 defeat at home to Al Nabi Shayth on Friday.
How they qualified: Lebanon FA Cup winners
No previous AFC Cup appearances
Tajikistan’s FC Khyar qualified for the AFC Cup Play-offs for the first time after finishing runners-up behind FC Istiklol in the Tajik League in 2014. They secured their meeting with Salam Zgharta courtesy of Hasan Rustamov’s goal in the 1-0 Preliminary Round defeat of Bangladesh’s Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra Limited.
How they qualified: Tajik League runners-up
No previous AFC Cup appearances
Fanja v Ahal FC
Winners to go in Group C along with Qadisa SC or Al Arabi, Arbil and FC Istiklol
Oman outfit Fanja lifted the Sultan Qaboos Cup for a record ninth time in 2014 with a 2-0 win over Al Nahda in the final. They will be appearing in the AFC Cup for a third straight year after reaching the last 16 in 2013 and going out at the Group Stage in 2014. They currently occupy fifth spot in the Oman top-flight and were 3-1 winners against Al Suwaiq on Saturday.
How they qualified: Sultan Qaboos Cup winner
Past AFC Cups: 2013 – Round of 16; 2014 – Group stage
A crucial 1-0 victory over Dordoi in last week’s Preliminary Round saw Turkmenistan’s Ahal FC edge ever closer to the AFC Group Stage. Ahal FC earned a spot in the AFC Cup Play-offs for the first time after winning the Turkmenistan Cup for the second year in a row with a 3-2 win over Balkan in the final.
How they qualified: Turkmenistan Cup winners
No previous AFC Cup appearances
Al Jaish v Hilal Al Quds
Winners to go in Group D along with Riffa, Kuwait SC and Nejmeh
Syria’s Al Jaish earned a spot in the AFC Cup Play-offs after they beat Musfat Banyas on penalties to win the Syrian Cup for the eighth time in 2014. The Damascus club won the inaugural AFC Cup in 2004 but they have not gone the Group Stage in their subsequent appearances.
How they qualified: Syrian FA Cup winners
Past AFC Cups: 2004 – Champions; 2010 – Group Stage; 2011 – Group Stage; 2014 – Group Stage
Hilal Al Quds earned a spot in the AFC Cup Play-offs after beating Shahab Al Dhahriya in the Palestine Cup final. While they have yet to play in the AFC Cup, they reached the final rounds of the AFC President’s Cup in 2013.
How they qualified: Palestine Cup winners
No previous AFC Cup appearances
Al Hidd v Al Saqr
Winners to go in Group B along with Al Shorta, Al Jazeera and Wadi Al Nes
Bahrain side Al Hidd find themselves in the AFC Cup Play-offs after finishing third in Bahrain top-flight last season. They made their AFC Cup debut last season and made it through to the quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions Qadsia SC.
How they qualified: Bahraini Premier League third place
Past AFC Cups: 2014 – Quarter-Finals
Al Saqr booked a place in the AFC Cup Play-offs after winning the Yemen League title for the third time in 2014, finishing ten points clear of runners-up Al Ahli Sanaa. They have not gone past the Group Stage in their previous two appearances in the AFC Cup.
How they qualified: Yemen League champions
Past AFC Cups: 2007 – Group Stage; 2011 – Group Stage
Photo: AFP