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| Mark Cristino/UFL (file photo) |
By Kevin Estrada
KUALA LUMPUR--Ceres and Kaya were drawn to challenging opponents in the East groups as the draw for the AFC Cup concluded Thursday.
Despite avoiding defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim and Hong Kong powerhouse South China AA, they were given a new challenge as the draw was held in the Malaysian Capital.
Kaya, the reigning UFL Cup champion, was given a direct entry to the group stage instead of a playoff due to possible pullouts and the suspension of the Indonesian FA.
The Bacolod club, the reigning league champion, was drawn to Bangladesh's Sheikh Jamal Dhanmodi, Malaysia Super League's Selangor and S-League's Tampines Rovers in group E with the latter facing India's Mohun Bagan in the AFC Champions League playoff. If the stags make it up to the group stage proper, Warriors will take their spot.
Meanwhile in Group F, the defending Cup winner also faced a similar challenge in its continental debut, drawing Kitchee of Hong Kong, S-League's Balestier Khalsa and Maldives' New Radiant.
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