HCM City's striker Nguyễn Công Phượng (left) competes in the AFC Champions League qualification last week. Phượng and his team will play in the AFC Cup's Group F this season. Photo courtesy of Buriram United

HÀ NỘI — HCM City FC will play in Group F of the Asian Football Confederation Cup this season.

The V.League 1’s 2019 runners-up were disqualified from the AFC Champions League after losing 2-1 to Buriram United of Thailand in the qualification round last week.

In Group F, they will face Hougang United (Singapore), Lao Toyota (Laos) and Yangon United (Myanmar). 

HCM City will play their first-ever AFC Cup match on home turf, hosting Yangon United at the Thống Nhất Stadium on February 11.

Another Vietnamese team, Quảng Ninh, will also compete in the competition. They will meet Bali United (Indonesia), Ceres Negros (Philippines) and Svay Rieng (Cambodia) in Group G.

Quảng Ninh will first clash Bali United on February 11.

Quảng Ninh finished third in the V.League 1 last season but will play in the AFC Cup as champions Hà Nội FC were disqualified because they did not have an U15 squad competing nationally, which is part of continent-level competition's rules. 

Both Vietnamese clubs are said to be easy groups and are expected to advance to the next round. VNS