The UAE’s representatives in the 2017 Asian Champions League face a daunting task if the country is to appear in a third successive final, after the draw for the group stages was made in Malaysia on Tuesday.
Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ahli, last season’s runners-up Al Ain and 2016 President’s Cup winners Al Jazira have already qualified for the pool phase, while Al Wahda, third in the 2015/16 AGL, must first negotiate the February 7 play-off with either Jordan’s Al Wehdat or India’s Bengaluru FC.
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For next year’s tournament, Ahli have been placed in Group A alongside Uzbekistan champions Lokomotiv, Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun and either Iranian champions Esteghlal Khuzestan or Qatar’s Al Sadd. Al Sadd, who boast former Barcelona captain Xavi, are currently second in the Qatar Stars League.
Ahli are attempting to make up for their defeat in last year’s final. The Dubai club, who had previously never been beyond the group stages, were beaten 1-0 on aggregate by Guangzhou Evergrande.
Compatriots Al Ain, defeated in the recent 2016 final, have ahead a difficult Group C campaign, where they face Saudi champions Al Ahli, Iran’s Zobahan and either Qatar’s El Jaish or Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor. Al Ain will take heart from the fact they defeated Zobahan in this year’s last-16 stage, while they knocked out El Jaish, the present league leaders in Qatar, in the semi-finals.
The only UAE club to win the Champions League, back in 2003, Al Ain were agonisingly close to repeating the feat last month, but lost 3-2 on aggregate to South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors after drawing the second leg 1-1 at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
Meanwhile, in Group B, Jazira go up against Iranian giants Esteghlal, Qatar’s Lekhwiya and either Saudi’s Al Fateh, Uzbekistan’s Nasaf or Bahraini side Al Hidd. Should fellow Abu Dhabi side Wahda win their play-off, they will take the final slot in a Group D that comprises Qatar champions Al Rayyan, Saudi heavyweights Al Hilal and Persepolis, the current Iranian league leaders.
In the eastern side of the draw, champions Jeonbuk begin their defence in a Group H that includes Australia’s Adelaide United and Chinese club Jiangsu FC. Elsewhere, Guangzhou, winners in 2013 and 2015, have been drawn in Group G along with South Korea’s Suwon Samsung Bluewings, while 2014 champions Western Sydney Wanderers will contest Group F with South Korean champions FC Seoul and possibly China’s big-spending Shanghai SIPG.
In a slight change to this year’s format, teams from West Asia will play on Monday and Tuesday, while the East Asia fixtures will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. The group stages begin on February 20 and conclude on May 10.
WEST ASIA
Group A
Al Ahli FC (UAE)
Lokomotiv (UZB)
Al Taawoun (KSA)
Play-off winner (IRN/QAT)
Group B
Esteghlal Khuzestan (IRN)
Al Jazira (UAE)
Lekhwiya (QAT)
Play-off winner (KSA/UZB/BHR)
Group C
Al Ahli (KSA)
Zobahan (IRN)
Al Ain (UAE)
Play-off winner (QAT/UZB)
Group D
Al Rayyan (QAT)
Al Hilal (KSA)
Persepolis (IRN)
Play-off winner (UAE-Al Wahda/JOR/IND)
EAST ASIA
Group E
Kashima Antlers (JPN)
Muangthong United (THA)
Play-off winner (CHN/AUS/PHI/SIN)
Play-off winner (KOR/HKG/VIE)
Group F
FC Seoul (KOR)
Japan 2nd Club (JPN)
Western Sydney Wanderers (AUS)
Play-off winner (CHN/THA/MYA)
Group G
Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN)
Suwon Samsung Bluewings (KOR)
Japan 3rd Club (JPN)
Eastern SC (HKG)
Group H
Adelaide United (AUS)
Jiangsu FC (CHN)
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR)
Play-off winner (JPN/THA/MAS)
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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