In this round 12 of the remaining 24 teams would be eliminated. There were 12 ties and the winners advanced to the next round. All games were scheduled to be played in home and away format. Further organisation was involved in the draw, with the 12 ties grouped into three groups of four – each feeding into a separate third round group. Within each group of four ties, one tie included a team ranked 1–3, one included a team ranked 4–6 and two included teams ranked 7–12. The 13th ranked side (who received a bye in the first round), were ensured a tie against a team ranked 7–12. All other ties were against first round winners.[2]
