The opportunity to become the first team from the Central Asian nation to feature in the final of the last edition of the AFC Cup will be the motivating factor for the Kyrgyz Premier League champions at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium.

All four AFC Cup matches played at their home fortress ended in wins for Abdysh-Ata and they are on a six-match winning streak in the competition stretching back to Matchday Three of the group stage.

Head coach Islam Akhmedov can count on Kayrat Zhyrgalbek, who has five goals and five assists, and five players who have scored thrice – including Farkhat Musabekov and Ernist Batyrkanov – upfront.

All three found the back of the net in the Inter-Zone semi-final against Chinese Taipei’s Taichung Futuro FC, which Abdysh-Ata won 8-1 on aggregate.

While Central Coast have impressed in their tournament debut, a cause for concern could be their away form with the Australia champions having suffered a 1-0 defeat to Malaysia’s Terengganu FC in the group stage and held to a goalless draw by India’s Odisha FC in the return leg of the Inter-Zone semi-final.

That said, the attacking strength of Central Coast is impressive with 32 goals netted en route to the Inter-Zone final, the highest by any team in the competition this season.

With Brazilian Maro Tulio – who scored eight goals early in the campaign – having left the club, Central Coast will pin their hopes on Angel Torres and Ryan Edmonson in their bid to become the first Australian side to feature in the AFC Cup final.
FK Abdysh-Ata Kant (KGZ) v Central Coast Mariners (AUS)
Venue: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium (Bishkek)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 18:00 (UTC+6)