Tajikistan to host AFC President’s Cup finals

Tajikistan Football Federation will host the finals of the AFC President’s Cup 2012 from September 24 to 30 in Dushanbe, the AFC Executive Committee approved on Thursday.

Reigning Tajikistan champions Istiklol along with defending champions Taiwan Power Company, KRL (Khan Research Laboratories) Football Club of Pakistan, FC Dordoi Bishkek of Kyrgyzstan, Phnom Penh Crown FC and Al Amma’ri Youth Club of Palestine are participating in the finals to be played in two groups of three clubs each with the winners of each group making it to the September 30 final.

The draw for the finals will be held in Dushanbe on July 31. Tajik representatives Istiklol are struggling in the local Tajikistan League this term being 11 points behind three-time AFC President’s Cup champions Regar TadaZ.

From this year’s edition, 12 domestic league champion clubs from AFC’s ‘emerging nations’ participated in the qualifiers with Mongolia being the latest member association to send its club champions as Erchim FC made the debut in the qualifiers alongside Palestine’s Al Amma’ri.