AFC Cup 2023-24: Odisha FC Drawn Against ASEAN Zone Champions In Inter Zone Semis

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AFC Cup 2023-24 draw for the semifinal took place in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday (December 28) and ISL side Odisha FC were drawn against ASEAN Zone champions in the Inter Zone semi-final. The ASEAN Zone winner is yet to be determined.

Odisha FC made it to the AFC Cup 2023-24 Inter-Zone semifinal after winning the AFC Cup South Zone by defeating Bangladesh side Basundhara Kings and Mohun Bagan in Group D earlier this month.

The ASEAN Zone Championships is heading towards its closing stages with Central Coast Mariners FC (Australia) facing Phnom Penh Crown FC (Cambodia) in the first semifinal while Macarthur FC (Australia) are up against Sabah FC (Malaysia).

The ASEAN Zone final will take place on February 22, 2024. The victors advance to the Inter Zone semi-final, a double-leg match, where they will play Odisha FC. The first leg will be played at the home of the ASEAN Zone champions on March 6 or 7. The second leg will be played on March 13 or 14 at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

The Inter Zone semi-final winner will play one of the other two semifinalists, FC Abdysh-Ata Kant (Kyrgyz Republic) or Futuro FC (Chinese Taipei). The Inter Zone final takes place in April, and the victor advances to the AFC Cup final on May 5 against the West Zone champions.

Odisha FC, who had a squad revamp under coach Sergio Lobera, have been in decent form this season winning the Indian Super Cup, beating Bengaluru FC. It is currently placed third in the ISL with 21 points in 11 games with Kerala Blasters (26 points) at the top followed by FC Goa (23).