Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia], August 23 (ANI): The battle traces for the very best golf equipment in Asia can be decided when the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League 2023/24 Group Stage draw takes place on the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday at 01:30 PM IST.
Marking the primary occasion of the AFC Club Competitions calendar shifting from its present Spring-Autumn season to an Autumn-Spring calendar, the twenty first version of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s flagship membership competitors will happen from September 2023 to May 2024, as per a press launch from Indian Super League (ISL). Divided into 10 teams of 4, the draw will witness groups from the West Zone drawn into Groups A to E whereas the contestants within the East Zone will discover their locations in Groups F to J.
Of the 40 collaborating groups, the berths of 32 contenders had been confirmed beforehand whereas the remaining eight slots have been determined via the Playoff Stage. Owing to the precept of nation safety, golf equipment from the identical Member Association (MA) won’t be drawn into the identical group.
The West Zone will see 4 former champions, specifically Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC and Al Ittihad, Al Ain FC from the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar’s Al Sadd SC try to reclaim the Continental throne.
Indian Super League (ISL) league winners Mumbai City FC, who can be representing the nation on the AFC Champions League for the second time, have been drawn in Pot 3 alongside Al Faisaly (JOR), FC Istiklol (TJK), Air Force Club (IRQ), and Ahal FC (TKM).
Meanwhile, within the East Zone, defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan to hitch the ranks of former champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC, Ulsan Hyundai FC, and Pohang Steelers within the ACL Group Stage after a victory within the playoff spherical.
The pots for collaborating golf equipment within the AFC Champions League 2023/24 Group Stage Draw are:West ZonePot 1: Al Ittihad (KSA), Persepolis FC (IRN), Al Sadd SC (QAT), Pakhtakor (UZB), Al Hilal SFC (KSA)Pot 2: Sepahan SC (IRN), Al Duhail SC (QAT), FC Nasaf (UZB), Al Fayha FC (KSA), Nassaji Mazandaran FC (IRN)Pot 3: Al Faisaly (JOR), FC Istiklol (TJK), Air Force Club (IRQ), Ahal FC (TKM), Mumbai City FC (IND)Pot 4: Al Ain FC (UAE), Al Nassr (KSA), Sharjah FC (UAE), AGMK FC (UZB), Navbahor (UZB)East ZonePot 1: Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR), Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN), Wuhan Three Towns FC (CHN), Buriram United (THA), Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)Pot 2: Ventforet Kofu (JPN), Shandong Taishan FC (CHN), Bangkok United (THA), Pohang Steelers (KOR), Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)Pot 3: Hanoi FC (VIE), Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI), Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS), Melbourne City FC (AUS), Lion City Sailors (SGP)Pot 4: Kitchee SC (HKG), Incheon United FC (KOR), Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN), Zhejiang FC (CHN), BG Pathum United (THA)Following the competition between the Asian powerhouses within the Group Stage, the ten group winners together with the three greatest runners-up of every Zone will guide their locations within the Knockout Stages, which is able to happen from February to April earlier than the coveted Final is held over two legs on May 11 and 18, 2024. (ANI)