This morning the group stage draw was made for the Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) for the 2011 AFC Champions League. The outcome of the draw was as follows:
West Asia
Group A:
1. Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
2. Al Gharafa (Qatar)
3. Al Jazira (UAE)
4. Sepahan (Iran)
Group B:
1. Esteghlal (Iran)
2. Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia)
3. Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan)
4. Winner of West Play-off*
Group C:
1. Al Wahda (UAE)
2. Piroozi (Iran)
3. Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia)
4. Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan)
Group D:
1. Al Rayyan (Qatar)
2. Emirates (UAE)
3. Zob Ahan (Iran)
4. Al Shabab (Saudi Arabia)
*) West Play-off: Al-Saad (Qatar), Al-Ittihad (Syria), or Dempo SC (India)
East Asia
Group E:
1. Jeju United (South Korea)
2. Melbourne Victory (Australia)
3. Gamba Osaka (Japan)
4. Tianjin Teda (China)
Group F:
1. Hangzhou Greentown (China)
2. FC Seoul (South Korea)
3. Winner of East Play-off*
4. Nagoya Grampus (Japan)
Group G:
1. Cerezo Osaka (Japan)
2. Shandong Luneng (China)
3. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (South Korea)
4. Arema FC (Indonesia)
Group H:
1. Sydney FC (Australia)
2. Winner of Emperor’s Cup or Kashima Antlers (Japan)
3. Shanghai Shenhua (China)
4. Suwon Samsung Bluewings (South Korea)
*) East Play-off: Sriwiaya (Indonesia), Muangthong United (Thailand), or Al-Ain (UAE)
The stand out draw of the group stage is Group A, when four Middle Eastern clubs go head-to-head. In that group there is 2007 runners-up Sepahan from Iran, Saudi Arabia’s 2010 semi-finalists Al Hilal, UAE’s domestic runners-up Al Jazira; and Qatari Champions Al-Gharrafa. In the other all-Middle Eastern group (Group D) are UAE’s 2010 double cup winners Emirates Club, Iranian Pro League runners-up Zob Ahan, 2010 Saudi Federation cup winners Al Shabab; and Qatari club Al-Rayyan.
In the other half of the AFC group stage draw the main group to look out for is Group F. That group sees the champions of Japan (Nagoya Grampus) and the champions of South Korea (FC Seoul) go head-to-head. That group could see another domestic champions participate, should either the champions of Thailand (Muangthong United) or the Champions of Indonesia (Sriwiaya) make it through the regional play-off that will take place next February. Making up that group is Chinese Super League side Hangzhou Greentown, who will be making their competition debut next year.
