March 4 – Vietnam has been confirmed as the centralised hosts of Group I in the AFC Cup 2022. Matches will be played June 24-30.
Vietnam joins Bahrain, Jordan (hosting two groups), Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Singapore, Maldives and Hong Kong as hosts of the ten groups for the competition that has been expanded to a 36-team group stage this season.
Ho Chi Minh City will be the venue for Group I contenders led by Vietnam’s Viettel FC, who will face Hougang United from Singapore, Phnom Penh Crown FC of Cambodia and Young Elephants FC from Laos.
The AFC Cup is the AFC’s club competition for developing nations. But was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic but did battle to conclusion in 2021 despite a number of teams being forced to withdraw due to pandemic surges and travel restrictions.
The competition has been dominated since its inception in 2004 by teams from the AFC’s West Zone. Central zone Uzbekistan’s FC Nasaf won in 2011, while ASEAN zone Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim, won in 2015, but all other winners have come from the West with Lebanon’s Al-Ahed the current champions from 2019.
A series of play-off matches to finalise the final six slots for the group stages have still to be played. Group matches will be played in the West, South and East Zones in May while the ASEAN zone groups will play in June.
Group draw:
Group A, Bahrain: Al Hidd Club (BHR), Al Nasr (OMA), Al Wahda (SYR) and Al Ahed FC (LBN) will be hosted in Manama, Bahrain.
Group B, Amman, Jordan: Al Ansar FC (LBN), Muharraq Club (BHR), Al Salt (JOR) and Balata Center (PLE)
Group C, Amman, Jordan: Al Faisaly (JOR), Al Seeb Club (OMA), Tishreen (SYR) and winner of the West Zone Play-off match
Group D, Male, Maldives: ATK Mohun Bagan (IND), Bashundhara Kings (BAN), Maziya Sports & Recreation (MDV) and the winner of the South Zone Play-off
Group E, Bishkek, Kryzygstan: FC Dordoi (KGZ), Ahal FC (TKM) and FC Ravshan (TJK)
Group F, Dushanbe, Tajikistan: FC Alay (KGZ), Altyn Asyr FC (TKM), FC Khujand (TJK) and the winner of AGMK FC or FC Nasaf (both UZB)
Group G, Sinagore: Bali Utd (IND), Boeung Ket (CAM), Hanoi FC (VET), Play-off winner
Group H, Singapore: Kedah Darul Aman (MAS), Lion City Sailors (SIN), Saigon (VIE) and the ASEAN Zone Play-off 2 winner
Group I, Vietnam: Viettel FC (VIE), Hougang United (SIN), Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM), Young Elephants FC (LAO).
Group J, Hong Kong: Athletic 220 FC (MNG), Eastern Long Lions (HKG), Lee Man (HKG) and Tainan City FC (TPE)
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