A-League champions Sydney FC will have to climb the tallest mountain if they want to be crowned kings of Asia this season.
The Sky Blues were grouped with two-time champions Jeonbuk Motors in Group H alongside former winners Gamba Osaka from Japan and Singapore’s Tampines Rovers, in Wednesday’s draw.
It is a group of death with the top two progressing, along with the three best finishing third-placed teams from all the groups, giving Sky Blues coach Steve Corica plenty to think about.
Brisbane Roar, who will playoff with Kaya-Iloilo of the Philippines and Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan, also face a tough test should they advance to the group stage.
They will come face to face with defending champions South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai, who beat Iran’s Persepolis in the final of last year’s competition to win the title for the second time.
Thailand’s BG Pathum United and fellow newcomers Viettel from Vietnam in Group F also await.
Forty teams will participate in the group phase of the competition – an increase from 32 last year – with the winners of each group plus the three best runners-up from the west and east regions advancing to the last 16.
Two-time champions Guangzhou FC – formerly known as Guangzhou Evergrande – take on Japanese champions Kawasaki Frontale in Group I as well as tournament newcomers United City from the Philippines.
The group will be completed by the winners of the playoff between South Korea’s Daegu FC and Chiangrai United from Thailand.
In the western half of the draw, Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, who won the title in 2019, will meet Shabab Al Ahli from the United Arab Emirates as well as debutants FC Istiklol from Tajikistan and either Qatar’s Al Gharafah or AGMK from Uzbekistan.
Persepolis, who have been runners-up twice in the last three seasons, headline Group E, where they will meet Qatar’s Al Rayyan, FC Goa from India and the winners of the playoff between Al Wahda from the UAE and Iraq’s Al Zawraa.
The group phase of the competition is due to be played on a centralised basis due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with member associations asked by the Asian Football Confederation to submit bids to host the competitions in their respective regions.
Matches are scheduled to begin in April, with the knockout rounds slated to be played from mid-September. The final will be held over two legs on November 21 and November 27.
Group A
Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Shabab Al Ahli (UAE), FC Istiklol (Tajikistan), Playoff Winner
Group B
Sharjah (UAE), Tractor FC (Iran), Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan), Playoff Winner
Group C
Al Duhail (Qatar), Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia), Esteghlal (Iran), Al Shorta (Iraq)
Group D
Al Sadd (Qatar), Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia), Al Wehdat (Jordan), Playoff Winner
Group E
Persepolis (Iran), Al Rayyan (Qatar), FC Goa (India), Playoff Winner
Group F
BG Pathum United (Thailand), Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea), Viettel (Vietnam), Playoff Winner
Group G
Jiangsu FC (China), Nagoya Grampus (Japan), Johor Darul Ta’zim (Malaysia), Playoff Winner
Group H
Jeonbuk Motors (South Korea), Gamba Osaka (Japan), Tampines Rovers (Singapore), Sydney FC (Australia)
Group I
Kawasaki Frontale (Japan), Guangzhou FC (China), United City (Philippines), Playoff Winner
Group J
Shandong Luneng (China), Port FC (Thailand), Kitchee (Hong Kong), Playoff Winner.
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the clarification Mark. I too had thought Melbourne City were in which is why I was surprised to not see them mentioned. I actually think they have the squad to do the best of all the A League clubs. Brisbane Roar, I had totally forgotten were the 3rd highest finishing Australian club in the ladder. Now that Wellington Phoenix play out of Woolongong, can't they make a claim to be an Australian club? :wink:
At work
Roar Rookie
I don’t know why you think they’d take it any more or less serious then other teams. It’s not like how a deep squad compared to others. I guess this just goes alongside your constant whinging about Sydney :stoked: Anyway tough luck Nix, you’re country is in the wrong confederation.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
It sucks ballz that Wellington are not in the ACL as they would take it seriously then every Aus club.
Mark
Guest
The article somehow has overlooked that Melbourne City are also in the playoffs. City qualified for the playoffs along with Brisbane as the 2nd and 3rd Australian teams on the 2020 A-League ladder (Wellington were actually 3rd, but they aren't from Australia or in the AFC).
Mark
Guest
It's a tougher draw than groups G and J, but as you say it's no group of death.
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
Hey now they're not the ones with shirt numbers literally falling off their backs! I actually think SFC have put in some of the better all-round performances against Asian opposition, actually matching them for technique and effort. They just haven't been able to hold on and get more points out of them.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Did they win the FFA cup?
Dennis
Guest
Just Sydney FC getting their ready made excuses ready for the next round of failures. Singapore teams are powerhouses ? Well if they are, the A league is in trouble. Once again sensationalized headlines devoid of any factual content.
At work
Roar Rookie
I thought city qualified
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
How again did Brisbane Roar qualify?
At work
Roar Rookie
How are Sydney and other Aus teams supposed to compete in April in a hub overseas when the A League season will be on at the time?? Me thinks some draw issues are incoming. Anyway I think it’s a great draw, and group of death it ain’t.
NoMates
Guest
Its pretty sad we only get 1 and a half places now. Teams like SFC have really let the AL down by not taking this serious.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Never imagined being grouped with Singapore's Tampine Rovers would qualify as a "group of death". Of course many famous names have appeared for the Tampine Rovers in the past. One who comes to mind is the son of a famous French boulanger: Benoît Croissant, who had a good onfield understanding with Joel Chew. How about the local product of this equatorial city-state: Hassan Sunny, and his good mate Edward Tan. But when it comes down to onfield chatter, none of them were more boisterous than Winston Yap.