AFC President's Cup; Draw On Monday

Kuala Lumpur: Defending champions Myanmar’s Yadanarbon have been placed alongside debutants Kyrgyzstan’s Neftchi and Cambodian outfit Phnom Penh Crown FC in the 2011 AFC President’s Cup Final Stage draw, which took place at the AFC House on Friday.

Yadanarbon ended Central Asian teams’ stranglehold on the third-tier AFC club competition last year by beating Kyrgyzstan’s Dordoi 1-0 in the final at home and could face a formidable challenge in the new Kyrgyz champions.

Taiwan Power Company (Chinese Taipei), FC Balkan (Turkmenistan) and Istiklol (Tajikistan) were placed in Group A.

Istiklol will take on Taiwan Power Company in the opener on September 19 while Phnom Penh Crown FC will meet Neftchi on the same day. Yadanarbon will begin their campaign on September 21 against Phnom Penh Crown FC.

The six-team Finals will be played in Kaohsiung City, Chinese Taipei, from September 19 to 25 at the National Stadium. Top teams from each group will qualify for the final.