Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The stage is set for the 2016 AFC Cup Group Stage official draw which will take place in Malaysia on December 10.
The draw will be held at the Hilton Petaling Jaya at 3pm (GMT +8) on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
The Group Stage, which will kick off on February 23, will be preceded by the West Zone’s Play-off Stage which will see the matches of Al Hidd (BHR) v K-Electric (PAK), Tripoli Club (LIB) v FC Alay (KGZ), Al Wahda (SYR) v Turkmenistan’s second club (TBC) and Ahli Al Khalil (PLE) v FC Khujand (TJK). The four play-off winners will advance to the Group Stage - West Zone.
The clubs that await in the Group Stage are:
WEST ZONE
Iraq: Nafit Al Wasat, Air Force Club
Jordan: Al Wehdat or Al Jazeera, Al Faisaly
Oman: Al Orouba, Fanja
Bahrain: Al Muharraq
Lebanon: Al Ahed FC
Syria: Al Jaish
Palestine: Al Dharia
Tajikistan: FC Istiklol
Turkmenistan: Altyn Asyr
EAST ZONE
Hong Kong: Kitchee, South China
Myanmar: Yangon United or Yadanarbon, Ayeyawady United
Malaysia: Johor Darul Ta’zim, a second club (TBC)
India: Mohun Bagan AC, JSW Bengaluru FC
Singapore: Tampines Rovers or Warriors FC, Balestier Khalsa SC
Maldives: New Radiant SC, Maziya Sports & Recreation
Philippines: Ceres La Salle FC, Kaya FC
Laos: Lao Toyota FC
Bangladesh: Lt. Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Ltd
The clubs will be drawn into eight groups -- Groups A, B, C and D (West Zone) and Groups E, F, G and H (East Zone).
KEY FIXTURES
Play-offs (West Zone): February 9
Group Stage: February 23 & 24 (MD1), March 8 & 9 (MD2), March 15 & 16 (MD3), April 12 & 13 (MD4), April 26 & 27 (MD5), May 10 & 11 (MD6)
Round of 16: May 24 & 25
Quarter-finals: September 13 & 14 (1st Leg), September 20 & 21 (2nd Leg)
Semi-finals: September 27 & 28 (1st Leg), October 18 & 19 (2nd Leg)
Final: November 5