Philippines awarded pair of slots in AFC Cup

In a clear indication of the country’s growing reputation in Asian football, the Philippines has been awarded two slots in the 2015 Asian Football Confederation Cup, the second-tier club football tournament in the continent.

Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said the AFC allocated “1+1” slots to mark the first time that the country will be represented in the prestigious tournament.

Araneta said the PFF nominated reigning United Football League champion Global FC and Ceres-La Salle FC, the defending titlist in the Smart Club Championship, to the tournament.

The AFC revamped its competitions calendar early this year, disbanding the AFC President’s Cup for emerging football nations and increasing the number of participants in the AFC Cup. Both Global and Ceres saw action in the President’s Cup, but failed to get past the group stage in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

As league champions, Global gained an outright spot to the group stage, while Ceres, as the Cup winner, will have to go through a playoff against Maziya Sports and Recreation of the Maldives on Feb. 17.

If Ceres hurdles the playoff, the Bacolod-based side will join Group E, where Bengaluru FC of India, Persipura Jayapura and Warriors FC of Singapore have been grouped. Should Warriors FC advance to the top-tier AFC Champions League, the S-League side will be replaced by Tampines Rovers.

Global is in Group G together with Hong Kong’s South China, Pahang of Malaysia and Myanmar’s Yadanarbon, which is also gunning for an AFC Champions League place. Should Yadanarbon gain the Champions League, Yangon United will take its place in the AFC Cup.

“We expect more home games for our club teams,” Araneta said.