An Australian team led by FIFA referee Alex King will officiate the preliminary match of the 2024/25 Asian Champions League 2 between Indian club "East Bengal" and Turkmenistan's "Altyn Asyr". The match will take place today, August 14, at the "Salt Lake" stadium in Kolkata.
King's compatriots James Lindsay and Kearney Robinson have been appointed assistant referees. Daniel Elder has been appointed reserve referee. This match will determine the future of "Altyn Asyr" in Asian club tournaments: the winner will continue to compete in the AFC Champions League 2, and the loser will go to the Challenge League.
"East Bengal" enter the tournament as the winners of the 2024 Indian Super Cup, while "Altyn Asyr" represent Turkmenistan as the runners-up of the 2023 national championship. It is worth noting that Turkmenistan champions "Arkadag" have already secured a place in the group stage of the 2024/25 AFC Challenge League.