I-League champions Mohun Bagan will play against Tampines Rovers of Singapore in the preliminary stage one of the three-round play-offs of the AFC Asian Champions League on January 27, the continental confederation announced today.
The winners of the Mohun Bagan-Tampines Rovers match will clash with Shandong Luneng FC of China in the preliminary stage two on February 2. The venues of the one-off ties (no home and away fixtures) will be announced later.
The winners of the Mohun Bagan-Tampines Rovers match will clash with Shandong Luneng FC of China in the preliminary stage two on February 2. Mohun Bagan are expected to travel to Singapore for the first match under 2016 ACL Competition Rules which say that “Participating club from the higher ranked Member Association pursuant to the M. A. Ranking shall host the match, which shall be played on a single knockout basis“.
Singapore are ranked higher in the FIFA charts at 149 than India (166).
If Mohun Bagan can pass through the preliminary stage two, then they will play against one of the four clubs of Pohang Steelers (Korea), Japan’s fourth club (to be confirmed later), Adelaide United (Australia) and Shanghai SIPG (China) on February 9 in the final round of East Zone play-offs to qualify for the group stage of the ACL which begins on February 23.
Similarly, four teams from West Zone will qualify to the group stage of the ACL through the play-offs. The official draw for next year’s edition of the ACL will be held in Kuala Lumpur on December 10.
Clubs qualified directly for the group stage of ACL are:
West Zone:
Saudi Arabia: Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli
IR Iran: Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan, Zobahan, Tractorsazi Tabriz
Uzbekistan: Pakhtakor, Nasaf, Lokomotiv
UAE: Al Ain, Al Nasr
Qatar: Lekhwiya
East Zone:
Korea: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, FC Seoul, Suwon Samsung Bluewings FC
Japan: First, second and third clubs (TBC)
Australia: Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC
China: Guangzhou Evergrande, Jiangsu Sainty
Thailand: Buriram United
Vietnam: Becamex Binh Duong.
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