Among the teams in action are two-time runners-up FC Istiklol of Tajkistan, compatriots FC Khujand and Maldivian champions Maziya Sports & Recreation, who stunned former runners-up Bengaluru FC of India in the play-offs.

There are plenty of debuts, too, with Indian side Chennai City, Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh and the Maldives' TC Sports Club all set to make their maiden AFC Cup appearances.

Dilshod Bozorov was the hat-trick hero for Khujand, scoring the goal which erased Neftchi’s first leg lead in the 34th minute, before conjuring two more in the second half of extra-time after the aggregate score had been locked at 1-1 after 180 minutes of action.

The result means AFC Cup Group D will feature the same four teams as in last year’s tournament, with Khujand to join Altyn Asyr FC, FC Dordoi and fellow Tajik outfit FC Istiklol.

Khujand had suffered a 1-0 first leg defeat in Jalal-Abad on February 19, but they levelled the tie with a 1-0 win after 90 minutes at Central Republican Stadium, before scoring two further goals in extra time.

It took more nearly 200 minutes of football for the club from Tajikistan to take the lead in the two-legged tie, but Dilshod Bozorov’s hat-trick proved decisive as Khujand returned to the group sage for the second successive season.

Maziya, who will play in Group E of the 2020 AFC Cup, clinched the title despite falling to a 2-1 defeat to Eagles on Monday.

Marjan Sekulovski's side have 51 points, six more than second-placed Eagles with TC Sports third.

Join the-AFC.com as we bring you the latest results from Bangalore to Dhaka.

The Malé-based club were pushed to the limit in the play-off second leg tie at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Wednesday, needing penalties to beat Bengaluru 4-3 after the match had ended 4-4 on aggregate after extra time.

Sekulovski attributed Maziya's victory to solid preparation, saying the side had been braced for all eventualities, including penalties.

The second leg ended 3-2 in favour of Bengaluru, with extra-time needed after 90 minutes finished 2-1 in favour of the Indian side.

Maziya had also won the first leg 2-1 and were denied an outright win by a brilliant Sunil Chhetri free-kick in the 120th minute on Wednesday, with the Maldives side having taken the lead on aggregate through Cornelius Ezekiel in the 102nd minute. Away goals were not in play in extratime.

Maziya join India’s Chennai City FC, Maldives’ TC Sports Club and Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh in Group E of the 2020 AFC Cup.