India Offered Three AFC Competition Slots for 2023–24, Confirms AIFF
India was offered three slots by the the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) with one being in the AFC Cup Group Stage, one for AFC Cup Qualifiers, and, the last in the AFC Champions League Group Stage.
New Delhi, March 15: The Qualifiers for the AFC competitions 2023-24 for the Indian clubs will be played between April 4 to May 3, with the country getting three slots from the continental body. As per AIFF, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has allocated three slots to India -- one in the AFC Champions League Group Stage, one in the AFC Cup Group Stage, and one slot for the AFC Cup Qualifiers. Angry Cristiano Ronaldo Kicks the Ball Away in Frustration, Receives Yellow Card During Al-Nassr vs Abha King's Cup 2023 Match (Watch Video).
Slot 1: AFC Champions League, Group Stage- The winners of the Indian Super League Shield 2021-22 (Jamshedpur FC) and winners of the same in the 2022-23 season (Mumbai City FC) will fight it out in a one-off match on April 4, 2023. The match will be played between the matches of the Super Cup, with further details to follow in later updates. The winners of the game will get a direct slot in the AFC Champions League 2023-24 Group Stage.
Slot 2: AFC Cup, Group Stage- This slot will be determined between the winners of the I-League 2021-22 (Gokulam Kerala FC) and the winners of the Super Cup 2023 (TBD). If the winners of the Super Cup 2023 have already qualified for Slot 1, then Gokulam Kerala FC will get an automatic spot in the AFC Cup 2023-24 Group Stage. If Gokulam Kerala FC win the Super Cup 2023, then they will secure their qualification for the AFC Cup 2023-24 Group Stage. The qualifying match for Slot 2, should it be required, will be played on April 29, 2023.
Slot 3: AFC Cup Preliminary Round- This slot will be decided between the winners of the ISL 2021-22 Trophy (Hyderabad FC) and the ISL 2022-23 Trophy (Bengaluru FC or ATK Mohun Bagan FC). If Hyderabad FC have already qualified for Slot 2, then a qualification match for Slot 3 will not be required, and the winner of the ISL 2022-23 Trophy will take the slot in the AFC Cup 2023-24 preliminary round. FIFA Announces New International Match Calendar for 2025–2030, Confirms Date for 2026 Football World Cup Final.
If the winners of the ISL Trophy 2022-23 have already qualified for Slot 2, then a qualifying match for Slot 3 will not be required, and Hyderabad FC would automatically play the AFC Cup 2023-24 preliminary round. The qualifying match for Slot 3, should it be required, will be played on May 3, 2023, or as decided by the AIFF.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 15, 2023 02:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).