New Delhi: The draw for the AFC Cup has come out and Federation Cup winners Mohun Bagan find themselves in Group D which has the likes of Syria's Al Karama, Kuwait FC and Jordan's Al Wihdat.
This is for the first time that 32 teams would participate in the premier competition as 29 teams were drawn from the pots while three losing sides in the AFC Champions League play-offs would also join the brigade.
What it means that the rule of best three runner-ups would be done away with as only the top teams from each of the eight groups would make it into the quarterfinals.
India has been considered a West Asian country for the second time and thus Mohun Bagan finds itself in one of the five West Asian groupings. Earlier in the 2007 edition of the AFC Cup, the two Indian clubs – Mahindra United and Mohun Bagan were drawn against the East Asian clubs.
Speaking to Goal.com, Mohun Bagan coach Karim Bencherifa said,"AFC Cup is a different challenge altogether. It gives the players a chance to rise to the occasion and prove their mettle on the Asian platform.
"We have come through successfully through some hard times winning games with 10 men, playing five games in nine days so I see this as another opportunity to give our best as a side."
Meanwhile, if Dempo SC lose to Al Sharjah in the AFC Champions League play-off, then the Indian champions would find themselves in Group E of the AFC Cup where they shall once again have defending champions Al Muharraq for company.
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