Calcutta, Dec. 13: National Football League (NFL) champions East Bengal find themselves in an easier group than Mahindra United in the AFC Cup — the latest competition in the Asian Football Confederation stable.

According to the draw held in Kuala Lumpur Friday, the ASEAN Club Championship winners have been placed with Negri Sembilan (Malaysia), Geyland United (Singapore) and the Maldives’ Island FC in group E.

Mahindra United, India’s second representatives, have been clubbed in group B with Yemen club Al Wahda Sanaa, Syria’s Al Wahda and Dhofar of Oman. The matches will be played on home and away basis.

According to Vision Asia, the blueprint for the game’s development in the continent, the AFC Cup has been categorised as a meet for clubs from developing national associations.

Twenty teams, divided into five groups, are in the fray. The meet kicks off on February 11. The three-tier AFC Cup replaces the Champions League.