Sepahan to face former champions

Sepahan defeated Al Ittihad 3-2 in their first meeting in 2004, but lost 4-0 in the return match in Jeddah to a side that went on to claim their first of two consecutive AFC Champions League titles later that year.

Syria League champions Al Karama were also handed a difficult draw after the 2006 AFC Champions League runners-up found themselves drawn in Group C with 2007 semi-finalists Al Wahda of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar League champions Al Sadd and Saudi Crown Prince Cup holders Al Ahli.

Group B will include UAE League champions Al Wasl, Iran Pro League winners Saipa, Kuwait League champions Al Kuwait and Iraqi side Al Quwa Al Jawiya, while Uzbek double winners Pakhtakor take on Qatar League champions Al Gharafa, Iraqi champions Arbil and 2006 AFC Champions League semi-finalist Al Qadisiya of Kuwait in Group D.

Group E appears to be the toughest of the three East Asian sections with China Super League champions Changchun Yatai, K-League title holders Pohang Steelers, Vietnam League champions Binh Duong and A-League outfit Adelaide United.

J.League champions Kashima Antlers are in Group F with Krung Thai Bank of Thailand, Beijing Guo’an of China and Nam Dinh of Vietnam, while reigning A-League champions Melbourne Victory, Thai Premier League champions Chonburi, Korean FA Cup holders Chunnam Dragons and Japan’s Gamba Osaka are in Group G.

The group stage kicks off on March 12 and concludes on May 21 with the seven group winners joining defending champions Urawa Reds of Japan in the quarter-finals in September.

The tournament winners will earn a spot at the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup.

2008 AFC Champions League draw -

Group A: Sepahan (Iran), Kuruvchi (Uzbekistan), Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Al Ittihad (Syria)
Group B: Al Wasl (UAE), Saipa (Iran), Kuwait FC (Kuwait), Al Quwa Al Jawiya (Iraq)
Group C: Al Sadd (Qatar), Al Wahda (UAE), Al Karama (Syria), Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia)
Group D: Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan), Al Gharafa (Qatar), Arbil (Iraq), Al Qadsiya (Kuwait)
Group E: Changchun Yatai (China), Adelaide United (Australia), Pohang Steelers (Korea Republic), Binh Duong (Vietnam)
Group F: Krung Thai Bank (Thailand), Beijing Guoan (China), Nam Dinh (Vietnam), Kashima Antlers (Japan)
Group G: Melbourne Victory (Australia), Chonburi FC (Thailand), Gamba Osaka (Japan), Chunnam Dragons (Korea Republic)