We Are The Reds

The AFC Cup is on again, and whilst it features sides we are only ever likely to see in ACL play-offs, if at all, it does throw up some interesting encounters.

The Preliminary Round in South Asia has just kicked off and Defenders (SRI) hosted Paro (BHU) in the first leg for a 3-3 draw. I do hope Paro one day make it to the ACL and the East-West divide is scrapped as an away trip to Bhutan would be something to savour.

Another interesting game was in the ASEAN ZONE where Svay Rieng (CAM) handed a 4-1 hammering to Master 7 (LAO). Yes, Master 7.

Games continue apace in the AFC Cup. Shan United are currently in action against one of our nearest neighbouring clubs, Makkasar FC from South Sulawesi. We have bit of a history with Makassar, as from 1700 onwards (or thereabouts) the Makassar fishermen began making seasonal trips to Northern Australia for trade with the Aborigines. Apparently there were no football matches.

Whilst three groups have yet to kick a ball (East Asia, South Asia and Central Asia), the three ASEAN groups have reached the half-way mark with both Ho Chi Minh and Yangon tied for first in Group F, and Tampines looking very solid at the top of Group H (3rd round of games for Group G kicking off tonight).

Some games are being played in empty stadiums, or at least it appears that way (sometimes hard to telll as the AFC insists clubs play in cavernous national stadiums rather than their own stadiums which are usually nice, tight little affairs).

The AFC Cup is kicking off again in October with a hub format. Groups A, B & C will be in Bahrain, Kuwait & Jordan respectively. Group E in the South zone will be hosted by Maldives whilst out East Groups F & G will both be hosted by Vietnam. Group D remains undecided.

For the ACL it is less clear, though Malaysia has offered itself as a hub for two East Asian groups.