Kings, Abahani likely participants in AFC Cup

Rahamtaganj Muslim Friends Society's slim hopes of playing in the upcoming AFC Club Cup were dashed after the giant-killers failed to submit some of the documents for the licensing of Asia's second-tier competition, paving the way for six-time professional league champions Abahani Ltd to participate along with Bashundhara Kings.

The cancellation of the 2019-20 season of Bangladesh Premier League -- the champions of which gain direct entry to the AFC Cup group stage -- due to the coronavirus pandemic offered a glimmer of hope for Rahmatganj as they finished runners-up to Bashundhara Kings in the Federation Cup, which was completed this season.

The second slot, in normal times, went to Federation Cup champions, who would play in the play-offs stage. Bashundhara, having won the Federation Cup, is virtually assured of direct entry and the second slot is now up for grabs, but as runners-up Rahmatganj first had to obtain licence for the AFC Cup, and even that may not have been enough.

Bashundhara Kings (champions in last completed BPL), Abahani (runners-up), Saif SC, Sheikh Russel, Mohammedan SC and Rahmatganj MFS had submitted their documents within the deadline of August 5. The AFC asked Rahmatganj and Mohammedan to submit some more documents within the extended deadline of September 28, but both failed to produce their documents.

AFC will take the final decision on Bangladesh's slots in late November.

"As Rahmatganj MFS and Mohammedan could not submit all their documents, they don't have any chance of getting the AFC Cup license, leaving four clubs -- Bashundhara Kings, Abahani, Saif SC and Sheikh Russel KC -- to avail the AFC Cup license. The assessment of the documents is going on and we are likely to know within a short period of time," said Bangladesh Football Federation's competition manager Zaber Bin Taher Ansari.

Ansari however said that the AFC has yet to release any regulations relating to the 2021 AFC Cup but the Asian body has already asked them to send the standings of the 2018-19 Bangladesh Premier League, where Bashundhara Kings finished champions ahead of second-placed Abahani.

"It is all but certain that Bashundhara Kings will get a spot in the upcoming AFC Cup as Federation Cup champions but the other one is still uncertain. What I can guess after talking to AFC officials is that Abahani may get a chance as the second team after Bashundhara as the AFC always prioritises the league table over the Federation Cup standings. So, it was not guaranteed that Rahmatganj would have gotten the AFC Cup slot even after obtaining the license," said Ansari, adding that Bashundhara Kings and Abahani will have a greater possibility to represent Bangladesh in the next AFC Cup.