With the AFC Cup continuing to be split into zones, Air Force Club - who last month defeated Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol to claim a second successive continental crown - find themselves in West Asia’s Group A, where they will have Malkiya Club from Bahrain, Jordan’s Al Jazeera and a yet to be determined Play-off winner for company.
Meanwhile, defeated finalists Istiklol will look to make amends for their 2017 disappointment when they begin their latest title assault from Group D in the Central Zone. They will face FC Alay from Kyrgyzstan, the Central Zone’s Play-off winner and a representative from Turkmenistan.
The fixtures for the Preliminary and Play-off stages – as well as the clubs competing in them – were also finalised at the event.
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Draw Results
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West Asia Zone
Group A
Malkiya Club (BHR)
Al Jazeera (JOR)
Air Force Club (IRQ)
Winner of PO WEST 3 (OMA/PLE)
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Group B
Al Ahed (LIB)
Manama Club (BHR)
Al Jaish (SYR)
Al Zawraa Club (IRQ)
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Group C
Al Faisaly or AL Wendat (JOR)
Al Ansar FC (LIB)
Dhofar Club (OMA)
Al Wahda (SYR)
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Central Zone
Group D
FC Istiklol (TJK)
Turkmenistan 1st Club
FC Alay (KGZ)
PO - winner (TJK/TKM/KGZ)
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South Zone
Group E
Aizwl FC (IND) or Mohun Bagan (IND)
New Radiant SC (MDV)
Bangladesh 1st Club
PO - Winner (IND/MDV/BHU)
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ASEAN ZONE
Group F
Philippines 1st Club or 3rd club
Home United FC (SIN)
Shan United (MYA) or Yadanarbon FC (MYA)
Winner of PO Asean 3 (LAO/CAM)
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Group G
Bali United FC (IDN) or Madura United (IDN)
Philippines 2nd Club
FLC Than Hoa (VIE) or Hanoi FC (VIE)
Yangon United FC (MYA)
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Group H
Tampines Rovers (SIN) or Geylang International FC (SIN)
Persija Jakarta (IDN)
Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS) or Selangor FA (MAS)
Song Lam Nghe An FC (VIE)
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South Zone
Group I
4.25 SC (PRK)
Hang Yuen FC (TPE)
Benfica Macau (MAC)
PO - Winner (PRK/MNG)
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Preliminary Stage and Play-off Stage Match Schedule
West Play-off
22 January - Hilal Alquds Club (PLE) vs. Al Suwaiq (OMA)
29 January - Al Suwaiq (OMA) vs. Hilal Alqudsclub (PLE)
Manama Club (BHR) & Al Ansar FC (LIB) – receive bye to AFC Cup 2018 Group Stage
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ASEAN Play-off
22 January - Cambodia 1st club vs. Philippines 2nd Club
29 January - Philippines 2nd Club vs. Cambodia 1st Club
22 January - Lao Toyota FC (LAO) vs.Home United FC (SIN)
29 January - Home United FC (SIN) vs.Lao Toyota FC (LAO)
Yangon United FC (MYA) – receive bye to AFC Cup 2018 Group Stage
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Central Preliminary
January 23 - Dordoi FC (KGZ) vs. Turkmenistan 2nd Club
January 30 – Turkmenistan 2nd Club vs.Dordoi FC (KGZ)
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Central Play-off
February 13 - Winner PS 2 vs. FC Khujand
February 20 - FC Khujand (TJK) vs. Winner PS 2
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South Preliminary
January 23 – Transport United (BHU) vs. JSW Bengaluru FC (IND)
January 30 – JSW Bengaluru FC (IND) vs.Transport United (BHU)
January 23 – Bangladesh 2nd Club vs. Maldives 2nd Club
January 30 - Maldives 2nd Club vs. Bangladesh 2nd Club
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South Play-off
February 13 - Winner PS 2 vs. Winner PS 1
February 20 - Winner PS 1 vs. Winner PS 2
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East Play-off
February 13 - Erchim FC (MNG) vs. Hwaepul SC (PRK)
February 20 - Hwaepul SC (PRK) vs Erchim FC (MNG)
