Chennaiyin FC gears up for AFC Cup debut

Chennaiyin FC will face the winner of the preliminary round clash between Bhutan’s Transport United and Sri Lanka’s Colombo SC in the opener on March 6, next year.

If Chennaiyin FC progresses to the group stage, it will be up against I-League champion Minerva Punjab and representatives from Bangladesh and Nepal.

Chennaiyin FC will begin its campaign in next year’s  AFC Cup with the play-off round in March. It will face the winner of the preliminary round clash between Bhutan’s Transport United and Sri Lanka’s Colombo SC over two legs for a place in the group stage.

This is a historic moment for the club as Chennaiyin becomes the first ISL franchise to qualify for the competition, progressing to the play-off stage in the first attempt after AFC announced a slot for ISL winners last year.

CFC will play its first game on March 6, away from home, before hosting the second leg a week later on March 13. And if it overcomes that challenge, CFC progresses to Group E, which will comprise four clubs from South Asia.

If Chennaiyin FC progresses to the group stage, it will be up against I-League champion Minerva Punjab and representatives from Bangladesh and Nepal.

Chennaiyin FC’s fixtures

1st Leg: Transport United (BHUTAN) / Colombo FC (SRI LANKA) vs Chennaiyin FC (March 6)

2nd Leg : Chennaiyin FC vs Transport United (BHUTAN) / Colombo FC (SRI LANKA) - (March 13)