AFC Cup: Bengaluru FC draw defending champions; Mohun Bagan have it 'easier'
Bengaluru FC and defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim were drafted in the same group (H) in the AFC Cup draw held at Malaysia on Thursday. I-League champions Mohun Bagan, however, have obtained a much easier draw in Group G.
Bengaluru FC have qualified for the AFC Cup as the 2015 Federation Cup winner and they would be keen to repeat their last season's performances in the Asian club competition, when they qualified from their group and made it to the knockout stages, before losing to Hong Kong club South China 2-0.
"I'm happy and excited that the draw has finally taken place as it's been a long wait since we experienced the AFC Cup last season. We enjoyed our time in the competition last year and we gave a good account of ourselves. We're looking to do the same again this season," Bengaluru FC manager Ashley Westwood was quoted as saying by Deccan Herald.
Bengaluru FC have been drawn in a tough group, which contains defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim FC of Malaysia, Ayeyawady United of Myanmar, who also qualified for the round of 16 last season where they lost to Johor, and 2015 Lao Premier League winner Lao Toyota FC.
"You can't really say whether the draw has been favourable or not, because all the teams are in it by virtue of being champions or cup winners from their own countries. What stands out is two countries we've not played in before with Myanmar and Laos. It's an opportunity for the side to broaden their experience and we're looking to go out there and put on good performances," Westwood added.
Johor Darul Ta'zim FC will play in the AFC Champions League playoff, and if they fail to qualify, they will feature in same group as Bengaluru FC, else Malaysian club Pahang FA will replace them in Group H. Westwood though, is drawing confidence from his team's performance against Johor last season.
"We played Johor last season and put on a really good performance against them, so if it is to be them, it would be nice to face a side that we're familiar with. Pahang recently had a good cup run in Malaysia and they have a good blend of foreigners and Malaysians, as does Johor," he said.
I-League champions Mohun Bagan have been drawn in a relatively easier group with South China, who knocked out Bengaluru FC last season, being their toughest opponent. Maziya of Maldives, who finished third in the group feature Bengaluru FC last season, and 2015 Myanmar national league winner Yangon United are the other two teams.
AFC Cup schedule for Bengaluru FC:
February 24:âLao Toyota FC vs Bengaluru FC
March 9:âBengaluru FC vs Johor Darul Tazim/ Pahang FC
March 16:âAyeyawady FC vs Bengaluru FC
April 13:âBengaluru FC vs Ayeyawady FC
April 27:âBengaluru FC vs Lao Toyota FC
May 11:âJohor Darul Tazim/ Pahang FC vs Bengaluru FC
AFC Cup schedule for Mohun Bagan:
February 23: Mohun Bagan v Maziya
March 9: South China v Mohun Bagan
March 16: Mohun Bagan v Yangon United
April 13: Yangon United v Mohun Bagan
April 26: Maziya v Mohun Bagan
May 10: Mohun Bagan v South China