K-League champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, recently crowned J. League winners Kashiwa Reysol and Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande will meet in the group stage of the 2012 AFC Champions League following Tuesday’s draw in Kuala Lumpur.
Former champions and 2011 finalists Jeonbuk, Kashiwa and Guangzhou will also be joined in Group H by the yet to be determined Thai Premier League champions with just two places in the Round of 16 available following the group stage, which will take place between March and May next year.
Jeonbuk, who won the continental title in 2006, lost November’s final on penalties to Qatar’s Al Sadd following a thrilling 2-2 draw in Korea, while Kashiwa and Guangzhou are making their first appearances in the AFC Champions League after winning their domestic titles.
A-League champions Brisbane Roar make their first appearance in the AFC Champions League alongside Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai Horang-I and China’s Beijing Guoan in Group F alongside the winners of Japan’s Emperor’s Cup, which will be determined on 1 January.
Australia’s Adelaide United, who reached the final in 2008, will also take their place in Group E alongside former champions Gamba Osaka of Japan, Uzbekistan champions Bunyodkor and the winner of a play-off between Korea’s Pohang Steelers and the Thai FA Cup Winners.
The Reds, who finished third in the 2011 A-League, beat Bunyodkor in the 2008 semifinals before losing to Gamba in the final.
China’s Tianjin Teda, 2010 champions Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma of Korea, Japan’s Nagoya Grampus and Australia’s Central Coast Mariners make up the East side of the draw in Group G.
In the West, 2011 semifinalists Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia begin their pursuit of a third AFC Champions League crown in Group B alongside Qatar’s Al Arabi, Baniyas of the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor.
Iran Pro League champions Sepahan and Qatar champions Lakhwiya will face Saudi King Cup winners Al-Ahli and Al-Nasr of the UAE in Group C, while Saudi Arabia champions Al-Hilal begin their campaign in Group D alongside Iran’s Piroozi, Qatar’s Al Gharafa and one of two play-off winners.
Finally, Nasaf’s reward for winning the AFC Cup sees the Uzbek side drawn in Group A alongside UAE champions and President’s Cup winners Al Jazira, Qatar’s Al Rayyan and the remaining winner from the play-offs.
In the play-offs, which will take place in February next year, Iran’s Esteghlal and Zobahan will face off for the right to take on Saudi Arabia’s Al Ettifaq for a place in the 2012 AFC Champions League, while Al Shabab of the UAE will entertain Uzbekistan’s Neftchi for the final place in the group stage of the continental competition.
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