AFC Cup finalists Bengaluru FC will play North Korea’s April 25 Sports Club in the inter-zone semi-finals later this year. The Indian club reached the final of Asia’s second-tier competition, only to lose out Iraq’s Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya by a 1-0 scoreline. As a result, they have earned a clash with April 25 SC next season which will be an enthralling affair with the North Korean club due to host the return leg in the 114,000 packed May Day Stadium in September.

April 25 SC qualified for the inter-zonal finals by winning the east zone group, which included the likes of  Kigwancha SC and Mongolian side Erchim SC. On the other hand, Bengaluru went through a similar qualification process as they ran victors in the south zone group which involved Indian heavyweights, Mohun Bagan. Both clubs are particularly new to this stage of a competition, and Bengaluru’s coach admitted that he has no clue over the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. Read more