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| Global goes straight to the AFC Cup group stages. Mark Cristino/UFL (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
UFL powerhouses Global and Ceres will participate in next year's AFC Cup with Global entering the group stage directly.
Global, which by virtue of capturing the league title last June acquired a direct entry to the group stages, was grouped along with Burmese club Yadanarbon, Malaysian side Pahang, and Hong Kong-based South China in Group G.
On the other hand, newly-promoted Ceres, the defending PFF-Smart Club champion, will take on Maziya of Maldives in the lone East Asia Zone qualifier.
The winner of the match set on February 17 will join Indian team Bengaluru, Singaporean side Warriors, and Indonesian club Persipura Jayapura in Group E.
Global and Ceres, who both played in the AFC President's Cup prior to their qualification, will be the first two Filipino clubs which will play in the AFC Cup.
Defending AFC Cup champion Al-Qadsia of Kuwait got drawn into Group C together with Erbil of Iraq, Istiklol of Tajikistan, and one of the four teams which will survive the West Asia qualifying round.
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