Reigning champions to take on Japapura in quarters
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E-mail China.org.cn, May 29, 2014
Defending AFC Cup champions Kuwait SC will take on Indonesia's Persipura Jayapura in the quarter-finals of the 2014 tournament following Wednesday's draw in Kuala Lumpur as the Gulf side chases a record fourth title.
Kuwait SC have claimed the crown on three occasions in the last five seasons, first winning the title in 2009 before claiming back-to-back successes in 2012 and 2013.
Standing in their way of advancing to the semi-finals once again will be the Indonesian Super League champions, who reached the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup in 2011.
"It's a good draw for us, we're happy with it. Kuwait SC have more experience than us but we will do our best," said Jayapura representative Rocky Bebena.
"We have experience of playing in the Middle East from 2009 when we went to Arbil and we only lost 1-0 there. So we're not concerned about the travel.
"Our target this year was to win the Indonesia Super League and to reach the semi-finals of the AFC Cup, and if we do that we will be the first Indonesian team to go that far. We're confident we can do well, even though it will be tough."
Should Kuwait SC advance, they could potentially face fellow Kuwaiti side Al Qadsia in the semi-finals in a re-match of the 2013 final after last year's runner-up were drawn to face Bahrain's Al Hidd in August's quarter-finals.
Arbil, who lost to Kuwait SC in the 2012 final, will take on Vietnam's Hanoi T&T with either Hong Kong's Kitchee or Vietnam's XM Vissai Ninh Binh awaiting in the semi-finals.
The first leg of the quarter-finals will be played on August 19, with the return fixtures taking place a week later.
The semi-finals will be played on a home-and-away basis on September 16 and 30, with the final to be played as a one-off game on October 18, to be hosted by the side that emerges from the quartet of Hanoi, Arbil, Ninh Binh and Kitchee.
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