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Pune FC could be facing defending AFC Champions League (ACL) champions Guangzhou Evergrande if the Indian club progress to the group stage. The Red Lizards will have to win three one-legged qualifying playoff matches to become the first Indian club to feature in the ACL group stage.
Besides Marcelo Lippi’s Guangzhou Evergrande of China, Japan Emperor’s Cup Winners (to be confirmed) and South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are Pune’s other possible opponents in Group G of the ACL.
For the first time since 2011, India were given a playoff slot in the continent’s biggest club competition and Pune will be the representative as they were the only I-League team to get the national and AFC club license.
Four teams will be making it to the group stage from the qualifying playoffs and Pune would be hoping to be one of them.
Pune FC’s road to the ACL Group Stage
Qualifying Playoff East 2 (All ties will be played as a single match with extra time and penalties to be used if necessary. Defeat in any round would see Pune FC move into the AFC Cup group stage)
Round 1 (Home match): Hanoi T&T (Vietnam) on February 2
Round 2 (Away match): Muangthong United (Thailand) on February 8
Round 3 (Away match): Melbourne Victory (Australia) on February 15
Full Group Stage draw
WEST
GROUP AA1. Esteghlal (IRN)A2. Al Rayyan (QAT)A3. Al Jazira (UAE)A4. Al Shabab (KSA)
GROUP BB1. Al Fateh (KSA)B2. Foolad Khouzestan (IRN)B3. Winner of Playoff 3.1 (West)B4. Bunyodkor (UZB)
GROUP CC1. Al Ain (UAE)C2. Al Ittihad (KSA)C3. Tractorsazi Tabriz (IRN)C4. Winner of Playoff 3.2 (West)
GROUP DD1. Al Sadd (QAT)D2. Al Ahli (UAE)D3. Al Hilal (KSA)D4. Sepahan (IRN)
EAST
GROUP EE1. Pohang Steelers (KOR)E2. Buriram United (THA)E3. Shandong Luneng Taishan (CHN)E4. League 3rd place (JPN)
GROUP FF1. Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)F2. Central Coast Mariners (AUS)F3. FC Seoul (KOR)F4. Winner of Playoff 3.1 (East)
GROUP G G1. Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN) G2. Knockout Champion (JPN) G3. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) G4. Winner of Playoff 3.2 (East)
GROUP HH1. Western Sydney Wanderers (AUS)H2. Guizhou Renhe (CHN)H3. League Runner-up (JPN)H4. Ulsan Hyundai (KOR)
