Japanese clubs confirm 2017 AFC Champions League opponents

At December’s draw for Asia’s premier club competition, Kashima were drawn in Group E alongside Thailand’s Muangthong United and two yet to be determined Play-off winners, while Kawasaki, Urawa and Gamba were forced to wait to find out their opponents until the conclusion of the Emperor’s Cup.

Having ended the season as J.league runners-up, Urawa will now be placed in Group F where they are set to have Korea Republic’s FC Seoul, 2014 continental champions Western Sydney Wanderers and a yet to be determined Play-off winner for company.

After losing out to Kashima in the Emperor’s Cup final and finishing third in the J.League, Kawasaki find themselves in Group G alongside Chinese powerhouse Guangzhou Evergrande, Suwon Samsung Bluewings from Korea Republic and Hong Kong’s Eastern SC.

Meanwhile, Gamba, who finished fourth in the J.League, are looking to secure a spot in Group H via a Play-off against either Thailand’s Bangkok United or Johor Darul Ta’zim from Malaysia.

Revised 2017 AFC Champions League Draw

WEST
Group A

1. Al Ahli FC (UAE)
2. PFC Lokomotiv (UZB)
3. Al Taawoun (KSA) 
4. Play-off winner (IRN/QAT)

Group B

1. Esteghlal Khouzestan FC (IRN) 
2. Al Jazira (UAE)
3. Lekhwiya SC (QAT)
4. Play-off winner (KSA/UZB/BHR)

Group C

1. Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)
2. Zobahan FC (IRN)
3. Al Ain FC (UAE)
4. Play-off winner (QAT/UZB)

Group D

1. Al Rayyan SC (QAT)
2. Al Hilal SFC (KSA)
3. Persepolis FC (IRN)
4. Play-off winner (UAE/JOR/IND)

EAST
Group E

1. Kashima Antlers (JPN) 
2. Muangthong United (THA)
3. Play-off winner (CHN/AUS/PHI/SIN)
4. Play-off winner (KOR/HKG/VIE)

Group F

1. FC Seoul (KOR)
2. Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)
3. Western Sydney Wanderers (AUS)
4. Play-off winner (CHN/THA/MYA)

Group G

1. Guangzhou Evergrande FC (CHN)
2. Suwon Samsung Bluewings (KOR)
3. Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)
4. Eastern SC (HKG)

Group H

1. Adelaide United (AUS)
2. Jiangsu FC (CHN)
3. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR)
4. Play-off winner (JPN/THA/MAS)

AFC Champions League 2017 Preliminary Stage & Play-off Schedule

WEST
Preliminary Stage 2 (January 31, 2017)
PS 2.1 - Al Wehdat (JOR) v JSW Bengaluru FC (IND)
PS 2.2 - FC Nasaf (UZB) v Al Hidd Club (BHR)
PS 2.3 - Al Sadd SC (QAT) v Bye
PS 2.4 - FC Bunyodkor (UZB) v Bye

Play-off Stage (February 7, 2017)
Al Wahda (UAE) v Winner PS 2.1
Al Fateh FC (KSA) v Winner PS 2.2
Esteghlal FC (IRN) v Al Sadd SC (QAT)
El Jaish SC (QAT) v FC Bunyodkor (UZB)

EAST
Preliminary Stage 1 (January 24, 2017)
PS 1.1 - Hanoi T&T (VIE) - Bye
PS 1.2 - Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) - Bye
PS 1.3 - Yadanarbon FC (MYA) - Bye
PS 1.4 - Global FC (PHI) v Tampines Rovers FC (SIN)

Preliminary Stage 2 (January 31, 2017)
PS 2.1 - Kitchee (HKG) v Hanoi T&T (VIE)
PS 2.2 - Bangkok United (THA) v Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)
PS 2.3 - Sukhothai FC (THA) v Yadanarbon FC (MYA)
PS 2.4 - Brisbane Roar (AUS) v Winner PS 1.4

Play-off Stage (February 7, 2017)
Jeju United FC (KOR) v Winner PS 2.1
Gamba Osaka (JAP) v Winner PS 2.2
Shanghai SIPG FC (CHN) v Winner PS 2.3
Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) v Winner PS 2.4

Photo: AFC