AFC Champions League 2023-2024 Live Draw: Mumbai City FC to play Neymar's Al-Hilal
Ok, so that concludes our live coverage of the AFC Champions League 2023-2024 draw. Keep following Indian Football News for latest updates about Indian football.
Al-Hilal star players
For those who are unaware of Al-Hilal's star players, the Saudi Arabian club have signed some top European players this season that includes obviously the Brazilian magician Neymar Jr, but also Kalidou Koulibaly, Rúben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Aleksandar Mitrovic. So, Mumbai City FC and Indian football fans in general can look up to host some top football superstars in the AFC Champions League matches of Mumbai City FC to be played in Pune.
Mumbai City FC AFC Champions League Group D
Ok, so now we know who are the 3 other teams against whom Mumbai City FC will play in the AFC Champions League. Mumbai City FC have been placed in Group D with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, FC Nassaji Mazandaran from Iran and Navbahor from Uzbekistan.
So the Mumbai City FC AFC Champions League group is like this, Al-Hilal, FC Nassaji Mazandaran, Mumbai City FC and Navbahor.
Right, we have only Al-Nassr and Navbahor remaining, that means Navbahor will join Group D.
We are now looking for the final team for Group D, Mumbai City FC group.
One thing to note that, Al-Nassr won't be drawn with Mumbai City FC due to country protection. Al-Hilal is in Mumbai's group.
It's time for Pot 4, the Al-Nassr pot.
FC Istiklol joins group E.
Big moment for India, they are drawn in Group D with Al-Hilal. Neymar is coming to India.
The next team from Pot is Air Force Club from Iraq, they will join Al-Ittihad' group C.
Al Faisaly joins group B.
The first club from 3 is Ahal FC who will go to Group A.
It's time for Pot 3, the Mumbai City FC group.
Nassaji will join Al-Hilal in Group D.
The next club from the pot is Al-Duhail from Qatar, they will be placed in Group E because of country protection.
Right, the club that goes to Group C is Sepahan SC from Iran, they join Al-Ittihad.
The next club from Pot 2 is FC Nasaf going to Group B.
Right, the first team from Pot 2 who will go to Group A is Al Fayha from Saudi Arabia.
The remaining team from the pot 1 goes to Group E is Persepolis from Iran.
Right, the team that goes into Group D is Al-Hilal.
The first team in Group C is Al-Ittihad from Saudi Arabia.
The next club that goes into Group B is Al Sadd from Qatar.
Right, the first club out from Pot 1 is Pakhtakor, goes into Group A.
We wait for the draw to begin now, the draw mechanism video is over.
There is country protection rule, that means two clubs from same country can't be part of same group.
The draw mechanism video is currently being played.
We have the AFC General Secretary giving his opening speech at the moment. After that, we will look into the AFC Champions League 2023-2024 draw mechanics. Then only we will start the draw for the AFC Champions League.
Talking of Al-Hilal, they have most recently signed Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). So, even Neymar coming to India is a possibility.
Urawa Red Diamonds are the defending champions having won it in the AFC Champions League 2022 season beating Al-Hilal.
Note that, we will be covering only Mumbai City FC's group draw and some top clubs who are part of the draw this season.
Manchester United and Real Madrid's star Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema's team Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad are part of the AFC Champions League this and if we be lucky, we may see them coming to India to play against Mumbai City FC in the AFC Champions League 2023-2024.
This is a historic draw for the AFC Champions League with some top European players are now part of the competition.
And we are live from the AFC House in Malaysia.
Is Al-Nassr vs Mumbai City FC in AFC Champions League 2023-2024 possible?
Many Indian football fans are wondering whether we can see Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr take on Mumbai City FC. Well, it is very much possible if the draw goes in favour. Al-Nassr have made it to the ACL Group Stage after winning their AFC Champions League playoff match. They have been placed in pot 4 and will be one of the first teams to be drawn, and if both Al-Nassr and Mumbai City FC end in same group, we could see Cristiano Ronaldo coming to India to play against Mumbai City FC in the Champions League, however, it is 50-50 situation. If Mumbai don't get Al-Nassr, there is still possibilities that they may get one of Al-Hilal or Al-Ittihad, another two of the Saudi giants. Those who follows the Saudi League, are very much aware that Al-Hilal recently signed Brazilian footballer Neymar Jr, whereas Al-Ittihad have former Real Madrid veteran Karim Benzema in their team.
AFC Champions League 2023-2024 Draw
The D-Day is here for all the Mumbai City FC fans as the official AFC Champions League (ACL) 2023-2024 season draw is set to take place today and India's representative Mumbai City FC will find its fate in the competition.
Mumbai City FC qualified for the AFC Champions League after winning the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) League Winners Shield ahead of Hyderabad FC during the 2022-2023 season. They have also had to beat the previous winner
Jamshedpur FC in playoff match due to change of format for the competition.
This will be Mumbai City FC's 2nd ever outing in the top tier continental competition. In their previous outing, they missed out on making it to the AFC Champions League Quarter-final as one of the best 2nd placed teams due to negative goal difference.
In their previous outing in the AFC Champions League 2022 season, Mumbai City FC had beaten Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya or also known as Air Force Club from Iraq twice and once draw against Al-Jazira meant that they finished 2nd with 7 points. However, this time, they would be looking to do even better, but it could be tough given that this year's competition is gonna be even tougher.
Mumbai City FC have been put in pot 3 of the AFC Champions League 2023-2024 draw alongwith Al-Faisaly, Istiklol, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and Ahal Änew, that means these teams cannot be drawn together in the same group.
This year, another important aspect of the AFC Champions League is that, there are 3 top Saudi Arabian clubs who will be participating in the tournament after their huge summer spending, bringing in players like
Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, Neymar adding to Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo.
When will be the AFC Champions League 2023-2024 draw in India?
The AFC Champions League 2023-2024 draw will be in 24th of August, Thursday, i.e. today. The draw will begin at 1:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
How to watch AFC Champions League 2023-2024 draw live streaming?
You can watch the live streaming of the AFC Champions League 2023-2024 draw through the AFC's official YouTube channel, The AFC Hub. However, you can also bookmark this page for all the latest updates from the draw.
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