I-League champions Bengaluru FC will take on Malaysian top side Johor Darul Tazim on February 4 in the first round of the play-off stage of AFC Champions League club football tournament.
If Bengaluru get past the first hurdle, they will face Bangkok Glass of Thailand in the second round on February 10 for a place in the final play-off match on February 17 against Chinese League runner-up team Beijing Guoan.
If at all Bengaluru reach the main round of AFC Champions League, the top-tier club competition in Asia, they will be placed alongside Brisbane Roar (Australia), Suwon Bluewings (South Korea) and a yet-to-be named Japanese side in Group G.
The draw of the AFC Champions League main round and that of the play-off stage was announced in Kuala Lumpur today.
If Bengaluru fail to make it to the main round of ACL, they will still play in the AFC Cup, the second tier club tournament. In that case, Bengaluru will be placed in Group E.
I-League runners-up East Bengal will also feature in the AFC Cup.
India is among a few countries whose clubs do not get a direct berth in the AFC Champions League but is given a chance to make it to the elite tournament through play-offs. Last year, Pune FC lost to a Vietnamese side in the first round of the play-off stage of ACL.
