Esteghlal in ‘Group of Death’ in 2019 ACL
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Loading...Tehran Times – KUALA LUMPUR, Iran’s Esteghlal and Persepolis learned their fates at the new season of the 2019 AFC Champions League (IPL) on Thursday.
The challenge for the group stage of the ACL was finalized following the competition’s official draw in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Esteghlal of Iran have been drawn with Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, the 2017 runners-up and two-time winners, Al Duhail SC of Qatar and the UAE’s Al Ain in Group C.
Persepolis, who lost 2-0 to Kashima Antlers on aggregate in this year’s final, will begin their campaign in the West Zone’s Group D where they have Qatar’s Al Saad SC, Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli Saudi FC and the Play-off 1 (UAE/UZB/IRQ) winners for company.
Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, the 2017 runners-up and two-time winners, will face Al Duhail SC of Qatar, UAE’s Al Ain and Iran’s Esteghlal FC in Group C.
In the East Zone, two-time winner Jeonbuk was drawn in Group G and is set to face Japan’s second-placed club, China PR’s runner-up and 2018 Thai League 1 champion Buriram United.
Guangzhou Evergrande FC of China PR, champion in 2013 and 2015, will face the second qualifier from Korea Republic, Australia’s Melbourne Victory and winner of Play-off 3 (JPN, THA, PHI, MYA) in Group F.
