3-team AFC Cup group ensues ahead of Negros-Tianjin match

The possibility of an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup group consisting of only three organizations looms as Ceres Negros shoots for history against Tianjin in the final round of the AFC Champions League Qualifiers. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA — The possibility of an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup group consisting of only three organizations looms as Ceres Negros shoots for history against Tianjin in the final round of the AFC Champions League Qualifiers.

Negros is assured of a slot in the Group F of the AFC Cup should the club loses at the match against Tianjin, which is ongoing as of posting.

However, the dilemma begins if Negros pulls off another shocker in China.

Rules provide that once Negros, the reigning Philippine Football League (PFL) champion, survives the Champions League Qualifiers and books a seat in the group stages there, the club that finished third in the PFL, in this case, Manila, will take Negros’ spot.

However, Manila disbanded at the start of the year citing lack of financial resources, and the AFC opted not to make Makati, which lost to Manila in the battle for third, the replacement side, hence making the three-team Group F plausible.

Shan United, which Negros beat in the first round of the Champions League Qualifiers, alongside Home United, are part of Group F while they await the winner of the AFC Cup qualifier match between Boeung Ket and Lao Toyota.