Asian Champions League draw completed [VIDEO]

PFDC – KUALA LUMPUR, Only three instead of four Iranian teams, as initially announced, will participate in the 2012 Asian Champions League, the draw on Tuesday determined.

Esteghlal Tehran and Zob Ahan Esfahan were pitted against each other in the slightly puzzling playoff principle of AFC, which has five teams competing for two spots in Western Asia while three teams were up for two spots in Eastern Asia.

The winner of the Iranian duel will take on former Team Melli boss’ Branko Ivankovic’s Al Etifaq of Saudi Arabia in order to qualify for a slot in group A alongside Al Rayyan (QAT), Al Jazira (UAE) and Nasaf (UZB).

Meanwhile reigning IPL champions Sepahan Esfahan will take on Al Ahli (KSA), Lekhwiya (QAT) and Al Nasr (UAE) in group C whereas 2011 Hazfi Cup winners Perspolis Tehran were grouped with giants Al Hilal (KSA), Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari and Al Gharafa (QAT) as well as the winner of the playoff between Al Shabab (UAE) and Neftchi (UZB).

The all-Iranian playoff will take place in Tehran on February 11, whereas the winner will host Al Etifaq a week later in the one-legged games.

Group A
Al Rayyan (Qatar)
Al Jazira (UAE)
Nasaf Qarshi (Uzbekistan)
Play-off 1/2 (West)

Group B
Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia)
Al Arabi (Qatar)
Bani Yas (UAE)
Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan)

Group C
Sepahan (Iran)
Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia)
Lekhwiya (Qatar)
Al Nasr (UAE)

Group D
Play-off 1/2 (West)
Persepolis (Iran)
Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Al Gharafa (Qatar)

Group E
Gamba Osaka (Japan)
Play-off 1/2 (East)
Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan)
Play-off 1/2 (East)

Group F
Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea)
Brisbane Roar (Australia)
Beijing Guoan (China)
Emperor’s Cup winner (Japan)

Group G
Tianjin Teda (China)
Seongnam Ilhwa (South Korea)
Nagoya Grampus (Japan)
Central Coast Mariners (Australia)

Group H
Thailand champions (Thailand)
Guangzhou Evergrande (China)
Kashiwa Reysol (Japan)
Jeonbuk Motors (South Korea)