XtraTime Web Desk: Xtra Time Web Desk: Indian Super League group stage winners FC Goa, I League winners Mohun Bagan (now Mohun Bagan-ATK) and Bengaluru FC completed India’s three continental spots for 2021 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions.
As things stand currently, the AFC Champions League Group stage spot is taken by the ISL league winners FC Goa, the AFC Cup Group stage spot will be taken by the I-League winners Mohun Bagan and the AFC Cup play-offs slot will be taken by Bengaluru FC, who finished third in ISL league stage.
The Gaurs have sealed the AFC Champions League (ACL) group stage slot by virtue of coming first in the ISL 2019-20 league stage. Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan have been guaranteed a spot in AFC Cup group stage by virtue of becoming I league champions. Since the Mariners have entered into a merger with ATK and will form a new entity and play in the ISL 2020-21 season, their AFC Cup slot will now be availed by the newly formed Mohun Bagan-ATK. Though ATK had earned a continental spot of their own by winning the ISL play-offs, they are likely to take up the spot Mohun Bagan earned since it guarantees a direct group stage entry. With Mohun Bagan-ATK taking the AFC Cup group stage slot, Bengaluru FC will take the AFC Cup play offs slot by virtue of coming third in ISL league stage.
It was earlier announced in March that Chennaiyin FC would get the AFC Cup play offs spot by virtue of being ISL runners up. However, AFC has since decided to take into account league standings to award the third continental spot rather than the play-off performance.