Bengaluru FC have been drawn against 4.25 SC of North Korea in the Inter Zonal playoffs of the AFC Cup 2017. The Federation Cup champions qualified to this stage after winning the South Zone group and now face a two-legged tie against the team from Pyongyang as they look to go one better on their runners-up finish in 2016.
The draw was made at Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday with Asian Football Confederation President Dato Windsor looking on.
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4.25 SC qualified to the Inter Zonal playoffs after winning the East Zone group, which consisted of Kigwancha SC (DPR Korea) and Erchim SC of Mongolia. It is worth noting that they scored a total of 14 goals in four matches in the group, winning two and drawing two.
The club, run by the North Korean Army, are appearing on the continent for the first time since 1992.
Next Match
The first leg of the tie will be held in Bengaluru on 23rd August while the return leg in Pyongyang will be on 13th September.
If the Blues manage to successfully negotiate this tie, they will take on the winners of the second Inter Zonal semifinal between Tajikistan's FC Istiklol and the ASEAN Zone winners (either Singapore's Home United or Philippines' Ceres Negros).
The winners of the Inter Zonal playoffs will advance to the AFC Cup grand final where they will lock horns with the West Zone winners (either Syria's Al Wahda or defending champions Air Force Club of Iraq).