Doha: Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Lekhwiya yesterday were drawn with Saudi giants Al Nasr and Iranian side Zobahan in the AFC Champions League draw for the 2016 season.
The fourth side in Group B will be decided from the play-off match between Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan) against Al Shabab (UAE).
Asian title-holders Guangzhou Evergrande were bracketed with Sydney FC in what looks like a kind draw for their AFC Champions League title defence next year.
The A-League grand finalists are the only known quantity for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s well-heeled Chinese champions, who will start as favourites as they seek a third Asian title in four years.
In Group H, Evergrande and Sydney will face whoever is designated Japan’s third team after the Emperor’s Cup final in Tokyo on January 1, along with the winner of a play-off.
A-League champions Melbourne Victory were drawn with Japan’s second club and Suwon Samsung Bluewings in Group G, while former winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors were in Group E.
Among the West Asia groups, Saudi giants Al Hilal were drawn in Group C along with Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor and Tractorsazi Tabriz of Iran.
The group stage runs from February to March with the West and East Asian teams kept apart until the final in November.
Next year’s finalists will take home double this season’s prize money, with the winners getting $3m and the runners-up $1.5m.
Group A consists of Foolaz (Iran), Al Nasr (UAE), Lokomotive (Uzbekistan) and the winner from the play-off game between Al Ittihad (KSA) versus Al Wahdat (Jordan).
Group C comprises of Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan), Al Hilal (KSA), Tractor Tebriz (Iran) and the winner from the play-off match between Al Sadd (Qatar) versus Al Gazira (UAE).
Finally Group D has Al Ain (UAE), Nasaf (Uzbekistan), Al Ahli (KSA) and the winner from the play-off game between El Jaish (Qatar) against Naft Tehran (Iran).
AFC officials said Group stage fixtures will kick-off on February 23 and 24. Two teams from each group qualify to Round of 16.
Round of 16 fixtures will be played on home and away system, with the first leg on May 17 and 18, while the second leg on May 24 and 25, AFC officials said yesterday. Teams that qualify to the quarter-final round will play on the September 13 and 15 and the second leg on the September 20 and 21.
The semi-final round first leg will be played on October 18 and 19 while the second leg on October 25 and 26. The AFC Champions League 2016 final match will be played on the November 19 for the first leg and on November 26 for the second leg.
The Peninsula
Doha: Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Lekhwiya yesterday were drawn with Saudi giants Al Nasr and Iranian side Zobahan in the AFC Champions League draw for the 2016 season.
The fourth side in Group B will be decided from the play-off match between Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan) against Al Shabab (UAE).
Asian title-holders Guangzhou Evergrande were bracketed with Sydney FC in what looks like a kind draw for their AFC Champions League title defence next year.
The A-League grand finalists are the only known quantity for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s well-heeled Chinese champions, who will start as favourites as they seek a third Asian title in four years.
In Group H, Evergrande and Sydney will face whoever is designated Japan’s third team after the Emperor’s Cup final in Tokyo on January 1, along with the winner of a play-off.
A-League champions Melbourne Victory were drawn with Japan’s second club and Suwon Samsung Bluewings in Group G, while former winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors were in Group E.
Among the West Asia groups, Saudi giants Al Hilal were drawn in Group C along with Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor and Tractorsazi Tabriz of Iran.
The group stage runs from February to March with the West and East Asian teams kept apart until the final in November.
Next year’s finalists will take home double this season’s prize money, with the winners getting $3m and the runners-up $1.5m.
Group A consists of Foolaz (Iran), Al Nasr (UAE), Lokomotive (Uzbekistan) and the winner from the play-off game between Al Ittihad (KSA) versus Al Wahdat (Jordan).
Group C comprises of Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan), Al Hilal (KSA), Tractor Tebriz (Iran) and the winner from the play-off match between Al Sadd (Qatar) versus Al Gazira (UAE).
Finally Group D has Al Ain (UAE), Nasaf (Uzbekistan), Al Ahli (KSA) and the winner from the play-off game between El Jaish (Qatar) against Naft Tehran (Iran).
AFC officials said Group stage fixtures will kick-off on February 23 and 24. Two teams from each group qualify to Round of 16.
Round of 16 fixtures will be played on home and away system, with the first leg on May 17 and 18, while the second leg on May 24 and 25, AFC officials said yesterday. Teams that qualify to the quarter-final round will play on the September 13 and 15 and the second leg on the September 20 and 21.
The semi-final round first leg will be played on October 18 and 19 while the second leg on October 25 and 26. The AFC Champions League 2016 final match will be played on the November 19 for the first leg and on November 26 for the second leg.
The Peninsula
