AFC Cup 2013 Group Stage draw has been made today at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur. 32 teams are contested from various Asian region, each one of the team represents for AFC Cup as league winner or equivalent winner, eligible to play in the competition. The current champions is Kuwait SC from Kuwait, after thumping Arbil FC from Iraq 4-0 in AFC Cup 2012 final. AFC 2012 quarter-finalist Kelantan qualify in the AFC Cup 2013 group stage after winning Malaysia Super League for the second consecutive times. Selangor qualify for the AFC Cup 2013 group stage after finishing third in Malaysia Super League, AFC handed the AFC Cup place to Selangor as Lion XII who finished second, are not eligible to compete as they were a guest team in the league.
Treble-winner Kelantan, were drawn in Group G alongside Vietnam club, SHB Da Nang, Maldives club, Maziah Sports & Recreation Club, and once again with Myanmar club, Ayeyawady United. It was thought that Kelantan were handed a relatively straight forward group, with Ayeyawady United the only team expected to challenge Kelantan for the top spot in Group G.
The sleeping giant Selangor, were drawn in Group H together with Indian club, Kingfisher East Bengal, Vietnam club, Saigon Xuan Thanh, and Singaporean club, 2012 S-League winner Tampines Rovers.
The first match of the group stage will begin at 5 and 6 March 2013.
Kelantan will compete in AFC Cup for the second season in a row, after performing above expectation by progressing as far as quarter-final in AFC Cup 2012.
Selangor will return in AFC Cup for the third time after last appeared in 2010 AFC Cup edition, as they were eliminated as early as in the group stage of the tournament.
