AFC Cup: Odisha FC pitted against ASEAN Zone champions in Inter Zone semi-final

Odisha FC have been drawn against the ASEAN Zone Champions in the AFC Cup 2023-24 Inter Zone Semi-Final in the draw held at the AFC Football House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday, December 28, 2023. The Kalinga Warriors emerged champions of the AFC Cup South Zone after beating Bashundhara Kings (Bangladesh) in the final matchday of Group D earlier this month to qualify for the knockout stages in their maiden continental appearance. The ASEAN Zone Champions are still to be determined as four teams remain in contention. Central Coast Mariners FC (Australia) will face Phnom Penh Crown FC (Cambodia) in the first semi-final, while Macarthur FC (Australia) will take on Sabah FC (Malaysia) in the other semi-final. The winners will contest the ASEAN Zone final on February 22, 2024, the winner of which will meet Odisha FC in the two-legged Inter Zone Semi-Final. The first leg of the AFC Cup 2023-24 Inter Zone Semi-Final will be hosted by the ASEAN Zone Champion on March 6 or 7, 2024. Odisha FC will host the return leg on March 13 or 14 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Should Odisha FC progress from the Inter Zone Semi-Final, they will meet either Central Zone Champions, FC Abdysh-Ata Kant (Kygryz Republic) or East Zone Champions, Taichung Futuro FC (Chinese Taipei) in the Inter Zone Final in April 2024. The winner of the Inter Zone Final will qualify for the AFC Cup 2023-24 Final against the West Zone Champion on May 5, 2024.