The Asian Champions League group stage draw has just taken place. All eyes will be on the West Region draw now that Saudi clubs have got themselves so many new star players.
For example, Cristiano Ronaldo will travel to Tajikistan, Neymar will play in Uzbekistan and India, N'Golo Kante will visit both Iran and Iraq, and many more.
Here's the draw.
West Region
Group A: Pakhator (Uzbekistan), AL Fayha (Saudi Arabia), Ahal FC (Turkmenistan), Al Ain FC (UAE).
Group B: Al Sadd (Qatar), FC Nassaf (Uzbekistan), Al Faisaly (Saudi Arabia), Sharjah FC (UAE).
Group C: Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Sepahan SC (Iran), Air Force Club (Iraq), AGMK FC (Uzbekistan).
Group D: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), FC Nassaji (Iran), Mumbai City FC (India), Navbahor (Uzbekistan).
Group E: Persepolis (Iran), AL Duhail (Qatar), FC Istiklol (Tajikistan), Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia).
Most likely, the clubs from Saudi Arabia will dominate their groups but teams from Qatar and Uzbekistan are known for their good level, too.
East Region
Group F: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (South Korea), Bangkok United (Thailand), Lion City Sailors FC (Singapore), Kitchee (Hong Kong).
Group G: Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan), Shandong Taishan (China), Kaya FC-Iloilo (Philippines), Incheon United (South Korea).
Group H: Buriram United (Thailand), Ventforet Kofu (Japan), Melbourne City FC (Australia), Zheijiang FC (China).
Group I: Ulsan Hyundai FC (South Korea), Kawasaki Frontale (Japan), Johor Darul Ta’zim (Malaysia), BG Pathum United (Thailand).
Group J: Wuhan Three Towers (China), Pohang Steelers (South Korea), Hanoi FC (Vietnam), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan).
Perhaps the most interesting team here is Japan's Ventforet Kofu because they are the first-ever team to play in the Champions League while being in the second division domestically. They qualified by winning the domestic cup competition called Emperor's Cup.
How it all works
Since Asia is huge, the teams are split into two regions: West and East. Each region has five groups containing four teams.
10 group winners qualify directly for the Round of 16. They are joined by three best runners-up from each region.
In the final, the best team from the West meets the best team from the East. The winner is declared the AFC Champions League winner.
Urawa Red Diamonds are the defending champions. Last year they beat Al Hilal 2-1 on aggregate across a two-legged final.
