AFC Cup 2021-22: Bengaluru FC set to return to the Maldives for AFC Cup playoffs months after asked to leave for Covid breach: Bengaluru FC will return to Maldives months after they were asked to leave the country following allegations of breaching COVID-19 guidelines. Bengaluru FC will play Club Eagles in the Playoffs and if they win, will join fellow ISL club ATK Mohun Bagan in Group of the AFC Cup 2021-22.
India’s Bengaluru FC, the 2016 Asian Football Confederation Cup runners-up, will take on Maldives’ Club Eagles on August 15 in the playoff match, with the winners joining India’s ATK Mohun Bagan FC, Maziya Sports & Recreation from the Maldives, and 2020-21 Bangladesh Federation Cup winners Bashundhara Kings in Group D.
Also read: ISL 2021-22 to kick off on November 19, Goa to host Indian Super League: Report
The AFC Cup (South) Group D matches will be held across three match days on August 18, 21 and 24, with the eventual group leaders advancing to the single-leg Inter-Zone Semi-final.
Meanwhile, ISL 2021-22 season will again be played in Goa. The tournament will be played in a bio-secure bubble amid the prevailing COVID-19 situation in India. Last season, the matches were played at Tilak Maidan Stadium, GMC Athletic Stadium and Fatorda Stadium.
Also Read: ISL New season: East Bengal will not sign final agreement with investors
“We will once again use the same venues as last season,” All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary Kushal Das told Sportstar.
The report further added that there will be no knockout match between ISL and I-League clubs, Super Cup.
“The Super Cup can’t be held before in view of the current situation,” he added.
This is the second consecutive time when the Super Cup were canceled due to COVID-19. The tournament is heading towards another behind the closed-door event. Mumbai City FC had won the title in the previous edition which lasted over five months.
Editors pick
