The 2017 AFC Cup qualifying play-offs were played from 30 January to 28 February 2017.[1] A total of 14 teams competed in the qualifying play-offs to decide five of the 34 places in the group stage of the 2017 AFC Cup.[2]
The following 14 teams, split into five zones (West Asia Zone, Central Asia Zone, South Asia Zone, ASEAN Zone, East Asia Zone), entered the qualifying play-offs, consisting of two rounds:[3] [4] [5]
Originally 17 teams entered the qualifying play-offs (10 entered in the preliminary round, 7 entered in the play-off round) before the withdrawal of teams in the East Asia Zone.
| width=120 | Zone | width=250 | Teams entering in play-off round | width=250 | Teams entering in preliminary round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Asia Zone | valign=top | valign=top | |||
| Central Asia Zone | valign=top | valign=top | |||
| South Asia Zone | valign=top | valign=top | |||
| ASEAN Zone | valign=top | valign=top | |||
| East Asia Zone | valign=top | valign=top |
In the qualifying play-offs, each tie was played on a home-and-away two-legged basis. The away goals rule, extra time (away goals would not apply in extra time) and penalty shoot-out were used to decide the winner if necessary (Regulations Article 9.3). The five winners of the play-off round advanced to the group stage to join the 29 direct entrants.[2]
The schedule of each round was as follows (W: West Asia Zone; C: Central Asia Zone; S: South Asia Zone; A: ASEAN Zone).[1]
| Round | W, A | C, S | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First leg | Second leg | First leg | Second leg | ||
| Preliminary round | Not played | 31 January 2017 | 7 February 2017 | ||
| Play-off round | 30–31 January 2017 | 6–7 February 2017 | 21 February 2017 | 28 February 2017 | |
The bracket of the qualifying play-offs for each zone was determined by the AFC based on the association ranking of each team, with the team from the higher-ranked association hosting the second leg. Teams from the same association in the ASEAN Zone could not be placed into the same play-off.[4]
Mohun Bagan advanced to Group E.[5]The East Asia Zone qualifying play-offs were not played due to the withdrawal of teams.
Kigwancha advanced directly to Group I after Rovers (Guam) withdrew from the group stage.
Erchim advanced directly to Group I after Taipower and Tatung (both Chinese Taipei) withdrew from the group stage and qualifying play-offs respectively.A total of 8 teams played in the preliminary round.|+Central Asia Zone|+South Asia Zone
Khosilot won 1–0 on aggregate.----Dordoi won 3–2 on aggregate.
Mohun Bagan won 4–2 on aggregate.----Club Valencia won 3–0 on aggregate.
A total of 10 teams played in the play-off round: 6 teams which entered in this round, and 4 winners of the preliminary round.|+West Asia Zone|+Central Asia Zone|+South Asia Zone|+ASEAN Zone
Al-Suwaiq won 4–3 on aggregate.
Dordoi won 2–1 on aggregate.
Mohun Bagan won 5–2 on aggregate.
Home United won 7–3 on aggregate.----Boeung Ket Angkor won 2–1 on aggregate.
