KUALA LUMPUR — Defending
champions Al-Hilal were Monday drawn against
Tajikistan's Istiklol, which
scored a shock victory against the Saudi giants last year, for the start of
their
Asian Champions League campaign.
اضافة اعلان
The Saudi side are aiming for a
fifth continental title, after triumphing in Asia's premier club competition
last year with victory over South Korea's Pohang Steelers in the final.
Al-Hilal's Group A clashes with
Istiklol will be closely watched as the Tajik club beat the Saudis 4-1 during
one of the teams' encounters in the group stages last year.
Al-Rayyan of Qatar were also drawn
in the same group.
In the east zone, two-time winners
Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan will face Chinese Super League champions Shandong
Taishan after both sides were drawn in Group F.
In Group I, Japan's Kawasaki
Frontale, who last year won the J-League for the fourth time in five seasons,
will meet eight-time Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou FC – which is
fighting for its future because of a debt crisis at owners China Evergrande.
And in Group H, two-time winners
Jeonbuk Motors of South Korea face Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos.
The two-legged final of this year's
40-team tournament has been moved to 2023 to allow the region's national sides
to prepare for the Qatar World Cup, which is being played in winter months.
The west zone knockout-stage matches
will also take place in February 2023, while those for the east zone will wrap
up in August this year.
Group A: Al Hilal (KSA), Istiklol
(TJK), Al Rayyan (QAT), play-off winner
Group B: Al Jazira (UAE), Al Shabab
(KSA), Mumbai City (IND), Air Force Club (IRQ)
Group C: Foolad Khouzestan (IRN),
Shabab Al Ahli (UAE), Ahal FC (TKM), Al Gharafa (QAT)
Group D: Al Duhail (QAT), Sepahan FC
(IRN), Pakhtakor (UZB), play-off winner
Group E: Al Sadd (QAT), Al Faisaly
(KSA), Al-Wehdat (JOR), play-off winner
Group F: Shandong Taishan (CHN),
Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN), Lion City Sailors (SIN), play-off winner
Group G: BG Pathum (THA), Jeonnam
Dragons (KOR), United City (PHI), Melbourne City (AUS)
Group H: Jeonbuk Motors (KOR), Yokohama
F. Marinos (JPN), Hoang Anh Gia Lai (VIE), play-off winner
Group I: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN),
Guangzhou FC (CHN), Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS), play-off winner
Group J: Shanghai Port (CHN),
Chiangrai United (THA), Kitchee (HKG), play-off winner.
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