AFC Cup Group D handed lifeline as Bangladesh bids to host games

The continental governing body of the sport is yet to take its decision.

While the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is yet to take a final decision, the South Asian Zone of AFC Cup 2021 has been granted a lifeline. Khel Now can confirm that Bangladeshi club Bashundhara Kings have bid to host the matches in Group D. The deadline to submit bids was July 5 and we can reveal that the Kings submitted theirs in time.

"The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) have completed the necessary paperwork and submitted the bid to AFC on behalf of Bashundhara Kings. This happened on Monday, which was the deadline to bid for hosting rights of AFC Cup group matches," a source close to the developments informed Khel Now. We also understand that the Kings have bid to host AFC Cup 2021 Group D matches at the Sylhet District Stadium.

[KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

Earlier, the AFC had also made all participating clubs aware that if no bids came in to host their respective group matches, those games will be cancelled citing a 'force majeure' situation But, now that Bangladesh have submitted a bid, Group D games may happen in the coming weeks.

The continental governing body for the sport is yet to take its final decision regarding the same. Meanwhile, Bangladesh is under lockdown, with the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) also suspended due to inclement weather.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News |Article Continues Below"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

The situation so far

Previously, the AFC Cup 2021 Group D matches were scheduled to be held in May in the Maldives. However, the AFC later postponed the games due to COVID-19. During this period, the Maldives' minister Ahmed Mahloof also spoke to Khel Now and made it clear that the country won't host the competition. This was immediately after some Bengaluru FC players broke COVID-19 norms by venturing out of the bio-bubble.

According to the new fixtures, the playoff between Club Eagles and Bengaluru FC will happen on August 15. The winner will join ATK Mohun Bagan, Maziya S&RC and Bashundhara Kings in Group D. The group games will be held from August 18 to 24.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Twitter, Instagram and join our community on Telegram.