DUSHANBE, 15.11.2018 /NIAT “Khovar”/. Tajikistan’s football club “Istiqlol” will debut at the AFC Champions League 2019 in the new season. In order to reach the tournament group stage, the champion of Tajikistan needs to beat the club of AGMK from Uzbekistan at the preliminary stage, and “Al-Nasr” of Saudi Arabia at the playoff round.

According to Tajikistan Football Federation, the AFC on November 14 notified the national associations about the mechanism of the preliminary games and the playoff round of the AFC Champions League and Cup 2019.

“Istiqlol” at the first preliminary stage of the AFC Champions League 2019 had to play with the champion of Bahrain, but the Bahraini club has not passed the procedure of club licensing. In this regard, Dushanbe’s club will continue competing in the second preliminary round. At this stage, “Istiqlol” will meet with the holder of the Cup of Uzbekistan — AGMK club. The match will take place on February 12 in Almalyk.

In case of success against AGMK, FC “Istiqlol” in order to reach AFC Champions League 2019 group stage on February 19 will play on the road with “Al-Nasr” of Saudi Arabia at the playoff round.

In case if “Istiqlol” reaches AFC Champions League 2019 group stage, Tursunzoda’s “Regar TadAZ”, which this year took fourth place in Tajikistan Championship, will play at the AFC Cup 2019 group stage, as the bronze prize-winner of the country’s championship – “Kuktosh” (Rudaki District) has not passed procedure of the AFC club licensing.