Tribune News Network
Doha
Al Arabi will meet FC AGMK of Uzbekistan in a play-off of 2023-2024 AFC Champions League at 8.30pm at the Al Thumama Stadium
on Tuesday.
Al Arabi are eyeing a berth in the group stage, the draw for which will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2023.
The Dream Team made it to the play-off by virtue of having finished second in the 2022-2023 season league championship with 49 points.
They had also won the prestigious Amir Cup and will be keen to make their passionate fans happier by advancing to the tournament proper.
Meanwhile, Al Arabi began their campaign in the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League with a 1-1 draw against Al Shamal.
Coach Younes Ali and his wards will be all the more eager to cross the FC AGMK hurdle and prove their mettle on the continental stage.
The team will mainly have the services of Yousef Msakni, Omar Al Somah, Wassim Keddari, Jassim Al Hail, Rafinha Alcantara and Ahmed Fathi.
On the other hand, FC AGMK qualified for the play-off by defeating Oman’s Al Seeb in their preliminary-round match.
The encounter is expected to evoke great excitement as both sides are in a must-win situation in order to reach the group stage.
Stage set for Group Stage draw
The battle lines for the best clubs in Asia will be determined when the AFC Champions League 2023/24 Group Stage draw takes place at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday (August 24).
Marking the first instance of the AFC Club Competitions calendar shifting from its current Spring-Autumn season to an Autumn-Spring calendar, the 21st edition of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s flagship club competition will take place from September 2023 to May 2024.
Divided into 10 groups of four, the draw will witness teams from the West Zone drawn into Groups A to E while the contestants in the East Zone will find their places in Groups F to J.
Of the 40 participating teams, the berths of 32 contenders have been confirmed while the remaining eight slots will be occupied by the winners from the Playoff Stage.
Owing to the principle of country protection, clubs from the same Member Association (MA) will not be drawn into the same group.
In the East Zone, to join the ranks of former champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC, Ulsan Hyundai FC, and Pohang Steelers in the Group Stage, defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan, will have to first navigate past Hong Kong, China’s Lee Man in the Playoff Stage on August 22 before they can embark on their journey to clinch Asia’s ultimate club prize for a fourth time.
Meanwhile, the West Zone will see four former champions, namely Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC and Al Ittihad, Al Ain FC from the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar’s Al Sadd SC attempt to reclaim the Continental throne.
The pots for participating clubs in the AFC Champions League 2023/24 Group Stage Draw are:
West Zone
Pot 1: Al Ittihad (KSA), Persepolis FC (IRN), Al Sadd SC (QAT), Pakhtakor (UZB), Al Hilal SFC (KSA)
Pot 2: Sepahan SC (IRN), Al Duhail SC (QAT), FC Nasaf (UZB), Al Fayha FC (KSA), Nassaji Mazandaran FC (IRN)
Pot 3: Al Faisaly (JOR), FC Istiklol (TJK), Air Force Club (IRQ), Ahal FC (TKM), Mumbai City FC (IND)
Pot 4: Al Ain FC (UAE), Al Nassr (KSA)/Shabab Al Ahli (UAE), Tractor FC (IRN/Sharjah FC (UAE), Al Arabi SC (QAT)/AGMK FC (UZB), Al Wakrah SC (QAT)/Navbahor (UZB).2023-2024 AFC Champions League play-offs
