HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s Quảng Ninh Coal are in Group H of the Asian Football Confederation Cup 2017, according to the draw organised on December 13 in Selangor, Malaysia.

Another Vietnamese participant, Hà Nội T&T, are in Group G.

Quảng Ninh Coal are the National Cup winners, while Hà Nội T&T are the champions of the national premier league, V.League.

Quảng Ninh Coal will play Yadanarbon (Myanmar), Lanexang United (Laos) and the winners of the match between Phnom Penh Crown (Cambodia) and Home United (Singapore).

Hà Nội T&T will face Felda Utd (Malaysia), Tampines Rovers (Singapore) and Ceres Negros (Philippines).

Hà Nội T&T are the sole team from Việt Nam to compete at the AFC Champions League, the highest level in continental club tournaments. If they fail to enter the final round, they will participate in the AFC Cup. If they are successful, SHB Đà Nẵng, the V.League’s third-placed team, will replace them in Group G.

There are seven different groups comprising 28 clubs from Asia.

They will compete in a round robin format, with the strongest team from each group entering the next round.

“It is the first time Quảng Ninh Coal are taking part in this continental competition so we have no idea about our rivals,” the club’s President Phạm Mạnh Hùng said.

“But we know we should not look down on clubs from Laos and Cambodia. We respect all teams,” he said.

“We are representing Việt Nam. We will compete with determination and with the strongest squad. We are playing for honour.”

The president also added that international competitions are great opportunities for his players to acquire more experience for the future, in particular as a club.

The play-off and preliminary stages will be organised on January 30-31, while the final round will be held one month later. — VNS