AFC Cup: Clubs of which nations do Indian teams like facing in Asia’s Europa League?

Photo Credit: AIFF Media

The performance of India’s two representatives in this year’s AFC Cup is proof of the fact that I-League teams fare much better against clubs from South-East Asian countries rather than teams from West Asia.

East Bengal managed to do the double over Singapore champions Tampines Rovers and also defeated Malaysia’s Selangor, while Churchill Brothers thrashed Singapore Cup holders Warriors FC. East Bengal’s narrow 2-1 victory at home against Tampines was the sixth win for an Indian club against Singapore opposition. No other opposing nation has brought more victories for Indian clubs.

Last week, Sportskeeda had explained how 2013 could see India’s best showing in the AFC Cup, and now the table below will reveal the countries against whom Indian clubs enjoy the most success.

Note: Table doesn’t include countries whose clubs Indian teams have failed to beat.

The perfect record against South Asian neighbours Maldives isn’t a surprise at all, and the 80% success rate against Malaysia is also encouraging. The record against Bangladesh is somewhat surprising, and the table also shows how Indian teams have struggled against West Asian opposition.

The 50% success rate against Oman and Yemen is not bad, but it shows that Indian clubs would always like to avoid even clubs from weaker West Asian countries.

Uzbekistan, Kuwait, Iraq and Indonesia are the countries whose clubs have faced Indian teams in the past, but no I-League side has been able to record a win against such opposition. Churchill Brothers have a chance to remove one name from that list this season if they win away at Indonesia’s Semen Padang.