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AFC - The AFC Champions League 2007 group stage draw has thrown up a handful of intriguing and potential edge-of-the-seat encounters.

Syrian League champions Al Karameh, surprise AFC Champions League finalists this year, have their work cut out if they are to have a chance of repeating their brilliant run after being bracketed with Qatari double champions Al Sadd, Iraqi League runners-up Al Najaf and Uzbekistan Leaque runners-up Neftchi in a tricky Group C.

Al Karameh fell just short and went down to Korea Republic’s Jeonbuk Motors 3-2 on aggregate in the Final this year.

Al Sadd’s representative at the draw Ali Khalifa Al Ammari said the going would not be easy for the Qatari giants either. “Our group is tough as it is not easy to play against Al Karameh or Neftchi. We have lost to Neftchi before in this competition. It is very difficult to play away both at Homs and Fergana. Both are hostile places. Al Najaf are newcomers and we don’t know about them.”

Vazgen Sarkisyan, Head of the International Department in Neftchi FC, said the Central Asians were immensely capable of springing a surprise. “Al Sadd and Al Karameh are of course favourites but don’t count us out yet.”

Australian representatives Sydney FC, who won the inaugural A-League in 2005-06, will get their first taste of AFC Champions League action in an interesting Group E which comprises Japan Emperor’s Cup and recently crowned J-League champions Urawa Reds, Shanghai Shenhua, who qualified as China Super League runners-up after Shandong Luneng’s double, and popular Indonesia League champions Persik Kediri.

“I think we are in a tough group, but we will try to play well to achieve our aim to qualify for the quarterfinals first,” said Urawa General Manager Shuzo Nakamura. “Then we will see how far we can go.”


“We sent our staff to the AFC Champions League 2006 matches alongwith Gamba Osaka since we knew we would participate in the ACL 2007 (as 2005 Emperor’s Cup champions), so we have prepared for this tournament for one year.”


The other team from down under Adelaide United have been drawn in a no less difficult Group G with Vietnamese outfit Dong Tam Long An, K-League winners Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and Chinese Super League giants Shandong Luneng.

Adelaide United CEO Michael Petrillo admitted the draw was tough. “This is the toughest group on paper. Teams like China (Shandong Luneng) and Korea Republic (Seongnam Ilhwa) are normally tough nuts to crack and I am not going to underestimate Dong Tam Long An from Vietnam as well,” Petrillo told www.the-afc.com


”We are playing in the ACL for the very first time. Of course everyone likes to win, but then again, we have to be realistic. The Asian football scene is totally new to us and we have to adapt and get used to different circumstances and conditions.”


Shandong Luneng official Han Gongzheng said: “Next year’s AFC Champions League will be a big challenge for us. We are not only competing in the China Super League but also the A3 League. We give top priority to the AFC Champions League as here we don’t represent Shangdong Luneng the club, but also China.”


Group A is made up of Kuwaiti Emir’s Cup winning outfit Al Arabi, UAE League runners-up Al Wahda, who are in the competition as UAE League champions Al Ahli are serving an AFC ban, and Qatari Emir’s Cup winners Al Rayyan, who are making their second appearance.


Al Rayyan team manager Yousef Al Kuwari was relieved with the draw. “The group is balanced. We are satisfied with the draw. All four teams have chances to qualify for the last eight. We will try our best.”

Uzbek giants Pakhtakor, who wrapped up a fine league and cup double recently, are in a difficult Group B with Kuwaiti champions Kuwait Sports Club, Saudi Cup winners Al Hilal and Iran Pro League champions Esteghlal Tehran.

Pakhtakor representative Ravshan Salimov said: “For us the draw is not important. We are always prepared to do our best.”

Al Hilal General Secretary Ahmed Al Khamis felt that the Saudi outfit was due for a good performance after bombing in the previous editions. “We have played thrice before in the ACL. One of the reasons is that Al Hilal supplies most of the players to the Saudi national team and our schedule clashes frequently (with that of the national team). At one time we played with 11 players against Pakhtakor. But this time our schedule is clear as the Saudi team has no big commitments. So we have a good chance even though we are in the most difficult group.”


In Group D Iranian Hazfi Cup winners Sepahan have been slotted with Al Ain of the UAE, Saudi League winners Al Shabab and Syria Cup winners Al Ittihad.

The lone team from Thailand Bangkok University are in an attractive Group F with Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale, Indonesia Cup winners Arema Malang, who were banned from the last edition by AFC for late registration, and Korea FC Cup champions Chunnam Dragons.

“I can't say that the draw is good for us because we need to analyse the teams in Group F first,” said Chunnam coach Hur Jung-moo. ”Of course, our aim is to win the AFC Champions League but it would be tough to meet the schedules of the K-League and AFC Champions League together.”


The group stage kicks off on March 7, 2007, and the winner of each of the seven groups will progress to the quarterfinal stage (September 19 and 26) where reigning champions Jeonbuk Motors join the competition. The semifinals will be held on October 3 and 24 and the two-legged Final is scheduled for November 7 and November 14.

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