ATK-Mohun Bagan, FC Goa, Bengaluru FC to stand in for India at AFC Champions League

New Delhi, June 05: ATK-Mohun Bagan, FC Goa, Bengaluru FC are all set to represent India in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions in 2021, the All India Football Federation said in a statement.

 

 

 

"The following Indian clubs will participate in the AFC Club competitions in 2021 - ATK-Mohun Bagan, FC Goa, Bengaluru FC, " said the AIFF in a statement.

 

 

 

FC Goa go into as direct entrant in the group stage of AFC Champions League after lifting the cup of the Hero ISL league phase for season 2019-20 as a winner. On the other hand, the ATK Mohun Bagan (after their agreement to form a joint venture) progresses as a direct entrant in the group stage of AFC Cup on virtue of being winners of the Hero I-League 2019-20.

 

 

 

The third name for the AFC Cup play-off slot goes to Bengaluru FC who had finished third in the Hero ISL league phase in 2019-20. "ATK, who finished runners-up in the league phase of the Hero ISL 2019-20, as per their joint venture with Mohun Bagan, qualify automatically for the direct slot for the AFC Cup, " the statement further added.

 

 

 

There were speculaion that the ISL runners up Chennaiyin FC could be awarded the third Asian spot before this announcement. However, the AFC focussed on the league standings rather than the playoff performance for the third spot.