Groups F and H are up first when they take to the field on Tuesday, while Group G will follow suit on Wednesday as the group stage of the Continental competition approaches its midway point in Southeast Asia.
Group F
Hanoi FC lead the way on goal difference in Group F and they will next welcome Myanmar’s Yangon United to the Vietnamese capital on Tuesday.
After their record-breaking 10-0 victory over Cambodia’s Naga World on Matchday One, Hanoi drew 1-1 with Tampines Rovers in their second game, while Yangon – who will be without the suspended Pyae Phyo Zaw – have lost two from two after their 2-1 defeat to the Cambodian side in late February.
Two penalties from Atuhiere Kipson were enough for Naga World to claim their first ever AFC Cup points in the 2-1 win over Yangon as they bounced back from the demoralising opening-day loss.
They will now look to make it back-to-back home wins when they face second-placed Tampines Rovers of Singapore – who are unbeaten on four points from two games after Jordan Webb secured a share of the spoils against Hanoi three weeks ago.
Hanoi FC (VIE) vs Yangon United (MYA)
Venue: Hang Day Stadium, Hanoi
Kick-off: April 2, 19:00 UTC+7
Naga World (CAM) vs Tampines Rovers (SIN)
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh
Kick-off: April 2, 17:00 UTC+7
Group H
The top two teams in Group H will face off on Tuesday when Indonesia’s PSM Makassar take on Kaya FC Iloilo of the Philippines in Bogor.
After the two sides drew their opening matches, Kaya claimed a resounding 5-0 win over Home United on Matchday Two, while Makassar were also convincing in a 7-3 victory against Lao Toyota.
Elsewhere, ASEAN Zonal champions last year, Home United will look to secure their first win of the campaign when they host Laotian side Lao Toyota in Singapore.
Both teams are on one point and need a positive result to maintain qualification hopes, although the visitors will be without the suspended Saison Khoumsamnan.
PSM Makassar (IDN) vs Kaya FC Iloilo (PHI)
Venue: Pankansari Stadium, Bogor
Kick-off: April 2, 15:00 UTC+7
Home United (SIN) vs Lao Toyota (LAO)
Venue: Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore
Kick-off: April 2, 19:30 UTC+8
Group G
First plays second in Group G when Ceres Negros of the Philippines host Persija Jakarta of Indonesia on Wednesday in a game that would see the hosts move five points clear at the top of the standings should they win.
Beinvenido Maranon netted a treble as Ceres defeated Vietnam’s Becamex Binh Duong 3-1 three weeks ago, while Bruno Matos scored twice as Persija came from a goal down to beat Myanmar’s Shan United by the same scoreline.
Finally, Shan and Becamex will be desperate to pick up three points when the pair meet in Yangon on Wednesday, with the hosts still seeking their first points and the visitors just a point ahead of them.
Failure to win for either side would make qualification to the knockout rounds highly unlikely, although a win would keep progressing a realistic aim at the midway point of the group stage.
Shan United (MYA) vs Becamex Binh Duong (VIE)
Venue: Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Kick-off: April 3, 15:30 UTC+6:30
Ceres Negros (PHI) vs Persija Jakarta (IDN)
Venue: Pana-ad park and Football Stadium, Bacolod City
Kick-off: April 3, 19:30 UTC+8
