WORLD SERVICE“No.1 in Asia”...
Vissel Kobe celebrate
overcoming Australia’s
Melbourne Victory
in the play-offs
Holders...Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal celebrate with the 2021 trophyJ.League champions...
Kawasaki Frontale
players watch on
as they exit last
year’s competition
on penaltiesFlying the A-League
flag...Sydney FC
striker Adam
Le FondreTwo wins from SaudiArabia’sAl Hilal
in the past three years have put West
Asia back on the map after years of
eastern dominance. The star-studded
powerhouse, with Matheus Pereira,
Moussa Marega and Odion Ighalo,
have plenty of firepower and, with their
group taking place in their home city
of Riyadh, are the favourites. In fact all
five west zone groups will be hosted in
Saudi Arabia, giving the country’s four
teams a real boost.
Iran’s chances have been hit by
January’s expulsion of the twin Tehran
titans Persepolis and Esteghlal for,
among other things, having the same
owner. It means that if the team that
reaches the final from the west is not
from Saudi Arabia then Qatar is the
likeliest bet. Under former coachXavi,
Al Sadd were dominant at home but
didn’t make an impact in the Champions
League. That could change, and Al
Duhail will also be looking to go far.
While the tournament is looking
a little predictable at the moment,
the AFC won’t care about that. As the
competition kicks off in spring for the
last time, all they want is a COVID-
free continental
experience after
finding the
2020 and 2021
tournaments
real headaches
to organise.
Excitement and
entertainment
are a bonus.four teams. Vissel Kobe’s official slogan
is “No.1 in Asia”. The Kansai club may
never have even won theJapanese
title but with Andres Iniesta, anything
is possible. The Spaniard helped them
squeeze past Melbourne Victory 4-3
in the play-offs. Kawasaki Frontale have
won four of the last fiveJ.League titles
but have underachieved in Asia. There
is a determination in the club just south
of Tokyo that this has to change. In South
Korea, the most successful nation inthe
competition’s history with12 titles, Ulsan
Hyundai andJeonbuk Hyundai Motors
are the main contenders. Both have
won two continental championships
apiece in the past16 years and both
have what it takes to make it three.GROUP A
Al Hilal
Al Rayyan
Istiklol
Sharjah
GROUP B
AlJazira
Al Shabab
Mumbai City
Al Quwa AlJawiya
GROUP C
Foolad
Shabab Al Ahli
Ahal
Al Gharafa
GROUP D
Al Duhail
Sepahan
Pakhtakor
Al Taawoun
GROUP E
Al Sadd
Al Faisaly
Al Wehdat
Nasaf Qarshi
GROUP F
Shandong Taishan
Urawa Red Diamonds
Lion City Sailors
Daegu FC
GROUP G
BG Pathum United
Jeonnam Dragons
United City
Melbourne City
GROUP H
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Yokohama F. Marinos
Hoang Anh Gia Lai
Sydney FC
GROUP I
Kawasaki Frontale
Guangzhou FC
Johor Darul Ta’zim
Ulsan Hyundai
GROUP J
Shanghai Port
Chiangrai United
Kitchee
Vissel KobeTHE DRAW