There will be plenty of football excitement as PFF has been granted a slot in the AFC Champions League Preliminary/ Playoff stage. Global FC, the United Football League’s top finisher, will be representing the Philippines in the EAST Slot allocation along with clubs from Korea Republic, Japan, China PR, Australia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Singapore.
To qualify for the group stage of the AFC Champions League, Global FC must win each match assigned in the three (3) stages leading to the group stage. The first assignment is scheduled on 24 January 2017 against Tampines Rovers FC from Singapore. The fans will be delighted as the match will be held in the Philippines.
If Global FC wins, the next assignment will be an away game against Brisbane Roar who finished 4th in the Australian League. The match is scheduled on 31 January 2017.
The play-off stage, which will be another away match, is scheduled on 07 February 2017 against China’s Shanghai Shenhua FC who placed 4th in the Chinese Superleague.
Should Global FC fail to reach the group stage of the AFC Champions League, they will be awarded a slot in the AFC Cup 2017 group stage. If Global FC succeeds, Loyola Meralco Sparks FC, who placed third in the United Football League, will be nominated for the AFC Cup 2017 group stage, joining Ceres-Negros FC.