Among the teams are 2018 runners-up Altyn Asyr of Turkmenistan, two-time runners-up FC Istiklol of Tajikistan and, for the third successive year, DPR Korea’s 4.25 SC. There are plenty of debuts, too, with Manang Marshyangdi becoming the first Nepali side to play in the AFC Cup.
Group D
Istiklol will begin their fifth successive AFC Cup campaign with an all-Tajikistan derby against FC Khujand on Wednesday as they aim to improve on last year’s group stage exit.
Visiting side Khujand, meanwhile, are making their first appearance in the group stage having been eliminated in the qualifying rounds in 2016 and 2018. This time, they finally advanced after overcoming Turkmenistan’s FC Ahal on away goals.
After missing out last year, Kyrgyz Republic champions Dordoi FC return to the competition with a home match against last year’s runners-up Alytn Asyr of Turkmenistan.
The sides met two years ago with Altyn Asyr winning on both occasions before both were eliminated at the group stage. But the Turkmen team came back strongly last year and were crowned Central Zonal champions before their hugely impressive run to the final.
FC Istiklol (TJK) vs FC Khujand (TJK)
Venue: Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe
Kick-off: April 3, 19:00 UTC +5
Dordoi FC (KGZ) vs Altyn Asyr (TKM)
Venue: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Kick-off: April 3, 20:00 UTC+6
Group E
Manang Marshyangdi will create history for Nepalese football when they become the first side from the Himalayan country to compete in the AFC Cup on Wednesday.
The visitors to Kathmandu are Bangladesh’s Abahani Limited Dhaka, who have participated in the past two editions but have yet to make it beyond the group stage.
Elsewhere, there will be an all-India clash between the 2017-18 Indian Super League winners Chennaiyin FC and the 2017-18 I-League champions Miverva Punjab.
The game marks a Continental debut for both sides after Minerva qualified automatically and Chennaiyin – under former Aston Villa boss John Gregory – overcame Sri Lanka’s Colombo FC in the play-offs.
Manang Marshyangdi (NEP) vs Abahani Limited Dhaka (BAN)
Venue: ANFA Complex, Kathmandu
Kick-off: April 3, 15:00 UTC+5:45
Chennaiyin (IND) vs Minerva Punjab (IND)
Venue: The Arena Stadium, Ahmedabad
Kick-off: April 3, 19:30 UTC+5
Group I
The third same-country encounter will take place in Hong Kong on Wednesday when 2014 AFC Cup semi-finalists Kitchee SC take on tournament debutants Wofoo Tai Po.
In 2018, Kitchee became just the second team from Hong Kong to compete in the AFC Champions League, and the first to win a game when they defeated Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol, while Tai Po advanced to the AFC Cup after seeing off DPR Korea’s Ryomyong SC on penalties in the play-off round.
Inter-Zone finalists last year, 4.25 SC of DPR Korea will begin their campaign with a trip to Hang Yuen FC, who in 2018 became the first side from Chinese Taipei to appear in the competition.
The pair met twice in the 2018 group stage, with 4.25 posting 5-1 victories in each of the matches en route to a second successive knockout round appearance.
Kitchee SC (HKG) vs Wofoo Tai Po (HKG)
Venue: Mongkok Stadium, Hong Kong
Kick-off: April 3, 20:00 UTC+8
Hang Yuen FC (TPE) vs 4.25 SC (PRK)
Venue: Hsinchu County Second Stadium, Hsinchu
Kick-off: April 3, 19:00 UTC+8
