Eagles welcome new Group I opponents after Shan United pulls out of AFC Cup

Geylang International will face either Cambodia’s Visakha FC or East Timorese’s Lalenok United FC, who will battle it out for a place to replace Myanmar’s Shan United, as Myanmar’s political unrest remains unresolved.

The other teams in Group I are Malaysia’s Terengganu FC and Filipino side Kaya FC-Iloilo, and the matches will be played in Singapore from June 29- July 6, 2021.

Geylang qualified for this season’s AFC Cup after finishing as the third-best local club in the Singapore Premier League last season. Japanese side Albirex Niigata were champions, second-placed Tampines Rovers made it to the AFC Champions League as the top-ranked local team, while Lion City Sailors and Geylang progressed to the AFC Cup.

Eagles vice-captain Darren Teh said: “Since we set out to qualify for the AFC Cup last season, it feels amazing to achieve it and put Geylang on the regional map. For sure we are going there not just to participate. We want to make a good impression and make a name for ourselves.”

This will be Geylang’s third AFC Cup appearance after making it to the 2004 semi-finals and 2010 group stage.