NEWS

The winners of the Emperor’s Cup on January 1 will face defending Asian club champions Pohang Steelers of Korea Republic in next year’s AFC Champions League, it was announced at the draw in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

Joining them in Group H will be Australian team Adelaide United – the runners-up in 2008 – and last year’s Chinese Super League winners Shandong Luneng of China.
Kashima Antlers, who clinched their third straight J. League title on Saturday, will play Korean K. League champions and 2006 ACL winners Jeonbuk Hyundai, Indonesian league champions Persipura Jayapura and Changchun Yatai of China in Group F.
Kashima midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara, who was named J. League Player of the Year on Monday, commented: “Whoever we’re grouped with, we’re just going to aim for the Asian title, as we haven’t won it yet. We haven’t met any of these teams, so I’m looking forward to playing them.”
Kawasaki Frontale, who finished second in the J. League, were drawn to Group E along with K. League runners-up Seongnam Ilhwa, Australian A. League champions Melbourne Victory and Chinese league winners Beijing Guoan.
Gamba Osaka, who finished third in the J. League and won the ACL in 2008, will be in Group G, where they will meet Henan Jianye of China, Korean F.A. Cup holders Suwon Bluewings and a team from the qualifiers.
Singapore Armed Forces, Da Nang of Vietnam, Sriwijaya of Indonesia and Thailand champions Muang Thong United will compete in the Eastern Division qualifiers on January 30/31 and February 6.
Kawasaki midfielder Kengo Nakamura said, “All the teams are strong, but we’d like to face them with the support of our fans and show our brand of football.”
Gamba and Japan midfielder Yasuhito Endo commented, “There’s no easy game in the ACL, as everyone plays as a representative of their country. We’d like to take each game as it comes and produce positive results.”
The group stage will start either on February 23 or 24, and the top two finishers from each group will advance to the Round of 16 on May 11 or 12. The quarterfinals will be held on September 15 and 22, with the semifinals scheduled for October 5/6 and 20. The final will be staged on November 12 or 13.

Groups:
West
Group A – Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia), Al Gharafa (Qatar), Al Jazira (UAE), Esteghlal (Iran)
Group B—Zob Ahan (Iran), Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan), playoff-winners
Group C—Al Ain (UAE), Sepahan (Iran), Al Shabab (Saudi Arabia), Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan)
Group D—Al Sadd (Qatar), Al Ahli (UAE), Mes Kerman (Iran), Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
East
Group E—Seongnam Ilhwa (Korea Republic), Melbourne Victory (Australia), Beijing Guoan (China), Kawasaki Frontale (Japan)
Group F--Kashima Anlters (Japan), Jeonbuk Motors (Korea Republic), Persipura Jayapura (Indonesi), Changchun Yatai (China)
Group G—Henan Jianye (China), Gamba Osaka (Japan), Suwon Bluewings (Korea Republic), playoff-winners
Group H—Adelaide United (Australia), Shandong Luneng (China), Emperor’s Cup winners (Japan), Pohang Steelers (Korea Republic)