AFC Cup 2023-24: Odisha FC To Face Zonal Champions In Tough Inter-Zone Semi-Final Draw

Indian Super League side Odisha FC have been handed a nightmare AFC Cup 2023-24 knockout stage draw, with the Juggernauts set to face the ASEAN Zone champions next. Odisha beat Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh to qualify for the knockouts

Updated on: 28 December 2023 4:12 pm

Odisha FC players celebrating after 6-1 win over Maziya in AFC Cup 2023-24

Indian Super League (ISL) side Odisha FC has been pitted against a yet-to-be-determined ASEAN Zone champions in the Inter Zone semi-final of the ongoing AFC Cup during a draw ceremony on Thursday, December 28.

Odisha FC had emerged victorious in the AFC Cup South Zone, having beaten Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh in their final Group D encounter earlier this month.

Four teams -- Central Coast Mariners FC (Australia), Phnom Penh Crown FC (Cambodia), Macarthur FC (Australia) and Sabah FC (Malaysia) -- are vying for the ASEAN Zone champions honour.

The ASEAN Zone final will take place on February 22 and the winner will face Odisha FC in the Inter Zone semi-final, which will be a double-leg affair.

The opening leg will take place on March 6 or 7 at the home of the ASEAN Zone champions, followed by the return leg at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on March 13 or 14.

The winner of the Inter Zone semi-final will take on either FC Abdysh-Ata Kant (Kyrgyz Republic) or Futuro FC (Chinese Taipei), the other two semifinalists.

The Inter Zone final will be played in April and the winner will face the West Zone champions in the AFC Cup final on May 5.

Odisha FC has been in decent form this season winning the Indian Super Cup, beating Bengaluru FC. It is currently placed third in the ISL.