ACL 2020 draw sets stage for spectacular affair - Pakhtakor to play in the same group with defending champions

Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor FC will play in Group B of the 2020 AFC Champions League following the conclusion of the draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Tuesday, the Asian Football Confederation writes.

The club will have Al Hilal (KSA), Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (UAE) and the winner of a play-off for company.

Al Sadd SC from Qatar, winners in 2011 and semi-finalists in 2019, will face Sepahan FC (IRN), Al Nassr (KSA) and the winner of a play-off in Group D.

Two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande of China PR were drawn in Group G with Suwon Samsung Bluewings (KOR), Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) and the winner of a play-off.

Korea Republic’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors - winners in 2006 and 2016 - will play in Group H with Japan's Yokohama F.Marinos, Australia's Sydney FC and a play-off winner while Ulsan Hyundai FC, champions in 2012, were drawn with Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN), Perth Glory (AUS) and a play-off winner in Group F.

A total of 56 teams will be vying for the 2020 AFC Champions League, with the group stage divided into the East and West Zones.

The 2020 season kicks off with the preliminary stage on January 14 with the two-leg final scheduled for November 22 and 28.