Kuala Lumpur: The group stage draw for the 2021 AFC Cup was held yesterday in Kuala Lumpur.
The competition will see 39 clubs competing – an increase of three from 2019 – with a newly-introduced group for the Central Zone.
This edition will also award the winning team a place in the preliminary stage of the 2022 AFC Champions League. The 2021 Cup is scheduled to kick off with the preliminary round on April 6 with the group stage matches to be played in centralised venues beginning May 14.
2021 AFC Cup Group Stage
Group A: Al Ahed FC (LBN), Al Hidd (BHR), Al Wahda (SYR), Al Nasr (OMA)
Group B: Al Salt (JOR), Balata Center (PLE), Al Ansar (LBN), Muharraq (BHR)
Group C: Tishreen (SYR), Al Seeb (OMA), Al Faisaly (JOR), P/O Winner (PLE/KUW)
Group D: ATK Mohun Bagan (IND), Bashundhara Kings (BAN), Maziya Sports & Recreation (MDV), P/O Winner
Group E: FC Ravshan (TJK), FC Dordoi (KGZ), Ahal FC (TKM)
Group F: AGMK/Nasaf (UZB), Altyn Aysr (TKM), FC Khujand (TJK), FC Alay (KGZ)
Group G: Hanoi FC (VIE), Bali United (IDN), Boeung Ket (CAM), P/O Winner
Group H: Kedah Darul Aman (MAS), Lion City Sailors (SIN), Saigon FC (VIE), P/O Winner
Group I: Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI), Shan United/Ayeyawady United (MYA), Terengganu FC (MAS), Geylang International (SIN)
Group J: Eastern Long Lions (HKG), Tainan City (TPE), Athletic 220 (MNG), Lee Man (HKG)
Meanwhile, the 2021 AFC Champions League will see 40 teams in the group stage – an increase of eight – with one additional group each in the East and West Zones. The competition kicks off with the preliminary stage on April 7 with the group stage to be played in centralised venues.
2021 AFC Champions League
GROUP A: Al Hilal SFC (KSA), Shabab Al Ahli (UAE), FC Istiklol (YJK), P/O winner
Group B: Sharjah (UAE), Tractor FC (IRN), Pakhtakor (UZB), P/O winner
GROUP C: Al Duhail SC (Qatar), Al Ahli Saudi (KSA), Esteghlal (IRN), Al Shorta (IRQ)
Group D: Qatar’s Al Sadd SC (Qatar), Al Nassr (KSA), Al Wehdat (JOR), P/O winner
GROUP E: Persepolis (IRN), Al Rayyan (QAT), FC GOA (IND), P/O Winner
GROUP F: BG Pathum UTD (THA), Ulsan Hyundai (KOR), Viettel FC (VIE), P/O Winner
Group G: Jiangsu FC (CHN), Nagoya Grampus (JPN), Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS), P/O winner.
GROUP H: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) , Gamba Osaka (JPN), Tampines Rovers (SIN) and Sydney FC (AUS)
Group I: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN), Guangzhou FC (CHN), United City FC (PHI), P/O winner
Group J: Shandong Luneng FC (CHN), Port FC (THA), Kitchee SC (Hong Kong), P/O winner.