Mariners and Jets all set for AFC Champions League
The Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets now know their opponents for the AFC Champions League 2009 following the draw which was held in Dubai today.
Central Coast Mariners have been drawn in Group G with Tianjin Teda (China PR), Kawasaki Frontale (Japan) and Pohang Steelers (Korea Republic), whilst the Newcastle Jets are placed in Group E with Ulsan Hyundai (Korea Republic), Beijing Guoan (China PR) and Nagoya Grampus (Japan).
The revamped AFC Champions League for 2009 will feature 32 teams in the group stages instead of the 28 as seem in previous versions of the competition with the prize money increased to US$1.5 million for the winners and US$750,000 for the runners-up.
The first stage comprises eight groups of four teams who will play each other on a home and away basis. Groups A-D will feature West Asian and Central Asian teams while Groups E-H comprises East Asian and ASEAN teams.
At the completion of the first stage, the top two teams from each group will advance to the round of sixteen (16), in which the top teams are at home for a straight one-match, knock-out competition.
An open draw will then be conducted for the quarter-finals stage, with a home and away format used until the final, which will be a one-off match in Tokyo.
In addition, prior to the commencement of the first stage, there will be play-off fixtures involving Dempo (India), Al Sharjah (United Arab Emirates), PSMS Medan (Indonesia), Singapore Armed Forces FC (Singapore) and Provincial Electricity Authority FC (Thailand) for the final two places in the competition.
AFC Champions League 2009 - Groups
Group A Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan) Al Ahli (United Arab Emirates) Saba Battery (Iran)
Group B Persepolis (Iran) Al Shabab (Saudi Arabia) Al Gharafa (Qatar) Winner of Play-Off 1
Group C Al Jazira (United Arab Emirates) Esteghlal (Iran) Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) Umm Salal (Qatar)
Group D Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan) Al Shabab (United Arab Emirates) Sepahan (Iran) Al Ettifaq (Saudi Arabia)
Group E Ulsan Hyundai (Korea Republic) Newcastle Jets (Australia) Beijing Guoan (China PR) Nagoya Grampus (Japan)
Group F Gamba Osaka (Japan) FC Seoul (Korea Republic) Sriwijaya (Indonesia) Shandong Luneng (China PR)
Group G Shanghai Shenhua (China PR) Winner of Play-Off 2 Kashima Antlers (Japan) Suwon Bluewings (Korea Republic)
Group H Central Coast Mariners (Australia) Tianjin Teda (China PR) Kawasaki Frontale (Japan) Pohang Steelers (Korea Republic)
Play-off Fixtures
West Asia - Play-Off 1
25 February 2009 Al Sharjah (United Arab Emirates) v Dempo (India), 7pm, Sharjah Stadium, UAE.
East Asia- Play-Off 2
18 February 2009 Provincial Electricity Authority FC (Thailand) v Singapore Armed Forces FC (Singapore), 6pm, Thammasat University Rangsit Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand.
25 February 2009 Winner of (Provincial Electricity Authority FC (Thailand) v Singapore Armed Forces FC (Singapore)) v PSMS Medan (Indonesia).
Venue: Thammasat University (6pm) or Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore (7.30pm) depending on home team.
For more information please go to, www.the-afc.com