KUWAIT SC CONFIDENT OF FOURTH AFC CUP TITLE

Three-time champions Kuwait SC are looking to extend their record haul of AFC Cup titles and are in confident mood following Tuesday’s draw in Kuala Lumpur.

In Group D, Kuwait SC will face either Bahraini outfit Riffa or Manama, Nejmah of Lebanon and one of four teams who advance from the AFC Cup play-offs in the East.

“Frankly speaking as a three-time champion and two times runner-up, I think we are at the highest level in this competition,” said Kuwait SC team manager Tamer Abdelall, whose side claimed the AFC Cup in 2009, 2012, and 2013.

“There is no one we fear and I think we will make it a fourth-time as champion for Kuwait SC.”

Last year’s runners-up Erbil of Iraq could face their opponents from the 2014 final in Group C if Al Qadsia fail to make it through the AFC Champions League play-offs. If the Kuwaiti side proves successful, though, Al Arabi will be their replacements and join newcomers Istiklol from Tajikistan, as well as a successful AFC Cup play-off team.

Elsewhere in the West, Group B will see Iraqi Premier League champions Al Shorta take on a pair of debutants in Palestine’s Taraji Wadi Al Nes and Al Jazeera of Jordan, in addition to a play-off winner.

Syrian side Al Wahda, though, will have to wait until the completion of the AFC Champions League play-offs to learn their opponents in Group A as Jordan’s Al Wehdat, and Al Nahda of Oman are all involved in the early February’s fixtures with That Ras Club and Al Suwaiq their potential replacements, whilst a play-off winner rounds out the group.

In the East, meanwhile, Group E features last year’s semi-finalists Persipura Jayapura of Indonesia alongside I-League champions Bengaluru FC who make their first appearance in the AFC Cup. Warriors FC or Tampines Rovers join the duo along with a play-off winner.

Group G encompasses South China of Hong Kong, Malaysian team Pahang FA, Philippines top flight champions Global FC and either Yadnarbon or Yangon United of Myanmar depending on the former’s fortunes in the AFC Champions League play-offs.

Hong Kong’s AFC Champions League hopefuls Kitchee or alternates Sun Pegasus make-up Group F alongside East Bengal of India, Singaporean outfit Balestier Khalsa, and either Johor Darul Ta’zim or Selangor of Malaysia.

Finally, Group H contains either Persib Bandung of Indonesia or Arema Indonesia, Ayeyawady United from Myanmar, first-timers Lao Toyota FC and Maldivian club New Radiant.