Bengaluru FC, runners-up in 2016, will face Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr in the Inter-Zonal semi-final of the AFC Cup.

The Blues, who defeated Abahani Dhaka on the last matchday of the group stages and also received a helping hand from Aizawl FC, will face the winners of the Central Asian Zone on the 22nd and 29th August. The first leg will take place at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru with the return on the 29th hosted at Ashgabat Stadium in Turkmenistan.

Altyn Asyr qualified for the knock out stage with an unbeaten record and registered a win over Tajikistan’s Istiklol FC, who had finished runners-up last season. The Tajik club knocked BFC out in the semi-finals last time around and this tie will be equally tough for the JSW-owned club.

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The Turkmenistan club has won the local Yokary Liga four times in a row and are currently fourth in the 2018 standings, albeit having played fewer games than every other club.

Elsewhere, two-time defending champions Air Force Club of Iraq drew Al Jazeera of Jordan in the West Zonal final. The winner of this clash will receive a direct berth in the final.

The Asean Zone final sees Ceres Negros of Philippines pitted against Singapore’s Home United. In the Inter-Zonal semi-final, awaiting the winner of that tie, will be North Korea’s 4.25 SC. The winner of this semi-final will face the victors of Bengaluru-Altyn Asyr for a spot in the 2018 AFC Cup final.

Asean Zone Final: Ceres Negros (Philippines) vs Home United (Singapore)

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Inter-Zone Semi-Final 1: 4.25 SC (North Korea) vs Winner (Asean Zone Final)

Inter-Zone Semi-Final 2: Bengaluru FC (India) vs Altyn Asyr (Turkmenistan)

Inter-Zone Final: Winner (Inter-Zone Semi-Final 1) vs Winner Inter-Zone Semi-Final 2)

West Zone Final: Al Jazeera (Jordan) vs Air Force Club (Iraq)

Final: Winner (Inter-Zone Final) vs Winner (West Zone Final)