DOHA: Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Lekhwiya yesterday were drawn in Group B of the 2013 AFC Champions League, the region’s showpiece club event.
Lekhwiya - winners of the QSL title for the past two seasons - were drawn with Pakhtakhor of Uzbekistan and Al Ettifaq of Saudi Arabia.
The fourth spot in Group B is reserved for a UAE or an Iranian side to be decided later.
Pakhatakor are the Uzbek national champions while Al Ettifaq finished the Saudi national championship in fourth spot last season.
The draw was held in Kuala Lumpur.
Qatar’s Eljaish - the QSL runners-up - were drawn along side Al Shabab of Saudi, Al Jazira of the UAE and Tractorsazi Tabriz of Iran in Group A.
Al Shabab are the Saudi national champions whereas Al Jazira are the President’s Cup winners. Al Jazira finished the league in fourth place.
Qatar’s Al Gharafa - the former QSL champions - were slotted in Group C with Foolad Sepahan of Iran and Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia. The fourth side is reserved for a UAE or Uzbbekistan club to be decided later.
The fourth Qatari club in the AFC Champions League is Al Rayyan.
Al Rayyan will do battle against Al Ain of the UAE, Estaghlal of Iran and Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia in Group D.
Teams from Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Uzbekistan will battle for top spots in the West Zone while clubs from Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Uzbekistan are in the East Zone.
While reigning champions Ulsan Hyundai of Korea Republic have not qualified, four former winners – inaugural champions Al Ain, Japan’s Urawa Red DIamonds and Korean sides Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Pohang Steelers – have earned direct entry to the group stage.
The top two teams in each group will advance to Round 16 stage, which will be played over two legs. THE PENINSULA
