New Delhi: India have been awarded a play-off slot for the 2014 Asian Champions League, the continent’s top-tier club competition in football.
According to the All India Football Federation, Pune FC, who were runners-up in the I-League last season, will feature in the play-off. Pune FC are the only Indian club who fulfill the AFC Club licensing criteria required to take part in Asian Champions League.
Reigning I-League champions Churchill Brothers were held ineligible for the play-off spot since they have not fulfilled the AFC Club licensing criteria. India have got the play-off slot after a gap of two years.
Two AFC Cup slots have also been allocated to India with a caveat that should Pune FC fail to qualify for the main round of the Asian Champions League, they would take up one AFC Cup slot with Churchill Brothers being the other.
However, if Pune FC make it to the 2014 AFC Champions League, the door will be open for East Bengal who become the first Indian club to reach the semis of the AFC Cup, Asia’s second tier club football tournament.
