AFC Champions League 2017 draw concluded

The Korea Republic giants, who defeated Al Ain 3-2 on aggregate to seal a second continental success, will begin their title defence against Australia’s Adelaide United, Jiangsu FC from China and a yet to be decided Play-off winner, in what appears to be a decidedly difficult Group H.

Beaten finalists and United Arab Emirates powerhouse Al Ain will, meanwhile, begin their latest AFC Champions League campaign from Group C where they are set to face formidable foes in the shape of Al Ahli FC from Saudi Arabia, Iran’s Zobahan FC and the winner of the Play-off between Qatar’s El Jaish SC and FC Bunyodkor from Uzbekistan.

Elsewhere, 2013 and 2015 winners Guangzhou Evergrande have been drawn in Group G along with Suwon Samsung Bluewings from Korea Republic, Eastern SC of Hong Kong and Japan’s third – yet to be decided – club, while Australia’s Western Sydney Wanderers, champions in 2014, find themselves in Group F with K League Classic winners FC Seoul, Japan’s second club and one of Shanghai SIPG, Sukhothai FC or Yadanarbon FC.

WEST
Group A
1. Al Ahli FC (UAE)
2. PFC Lokomotiv (UZB)
3. Al Taawoun (KSA)
4. Play-off winner (IRN/QAT)

Group B
1. Esteghlal Khouzestan FC (IRN)
2. Al Jazira (UAE)
3. Lekhwiya SC (QAT)
4. Play-off winner (KSA/UZB/BHR)

Group C
1. Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)
2. Zobahan FC (IRN)
3. Al Ain FC (UAE)
4. Play-off wnner (QAT/UZB)

Group D
1. Al Rayyan SC (QAT)
2. Al Hilal SFC (KSA)
3. Persepolis FC (IRN)
4. Play-off winner (UAE/JOR/IND)

EAST
Group E
1. Kashima Antlers (JPN)
2. Muangthong United (THA)
3. Play-off winner (CHN/AUS/PHI/SIN)
4. Play-off winner (KOR/HKG/VIE)

Group F
1. FC Seoul (KOR)
2. Japan 2nd Club (JPN)
3. Western Sydney Wanderers (AUS)
4. Play-off winner (CHN/THA/MYA)

Group G
1. Guangzhou Evergrande FC (CHN)
2. Suwon Samsung Bluewings (KOR)
3. Japan 3rd Club (JPN)
4. Eastern SC (HKG)

Group H
1. Adelaide United (AUS)
2. Jiangsu FC (CHN)
3. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR)
4. Play-off winner (JPN/THA/MAS)

AFC Champions League 2017 Preliminary Stage & Play-off Schedule

WEST
Preliminary Stage 2 (January 31, 2017)
PS 2.1 – Al Wehdat (JOR) v JSW Bengaluru FC (IND)
PS 2.2 – FC Nasaf (UZB) v Al Hidd Club (BHR)
PS 2.3 – Al Sadd SC (QAT) v Bye
PS 2.4 – FC Bunyodkor (UZB) v Bye

Play-off Stage (February 7, 2017)
Al Wahda (UAE) v Winner PS 2.1
Al Fateh FC (KSA) v Winner PS 2.2
Esteghlal FC (IRN) v Al Sadd SC (QAT)
El Jaish SC (QAT) v FC Bunyodkor (UZB)

EAST
Preliminary Stage 1 (January 24, 2017)
PS 1.1 – Hanoi T&T (VIE) v Bye
PS 1.2 – Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) v Bye
PS 1.3 – Yadanarbon FC (MYA) v Bye
PS 1.4 – Global FC (PHI) v Tampines Rovers FC (SIN)

Preliminary Stage 2 (January 31, 2017)
PS 2.1 – Kitchee (HKG) v Hanoi T&T (VIE)
PS 2.2 – Bangkok United (THA) v Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)
PS 2.3 – Sukhothai FC (THA) v Yadanarbon FC (MYA)
PS 2.4 – Brisbane Roar (AUS) v Winner PS 1.4

Play-off Stage (February 7, 2017)
Jeju United FC (KOR) v Winner PS 2.1
Japan 4th Club (JAP) v Winner PS 2.2
Shanghai SIPG FC (CHN) v Winner PS 2.3
Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) v Winner PS 2.4

Photos: AFC