JEDDAH, 8 December 2004 — Saudi teams Al-Ahli and Al-Shabab face a potentially stiff competition after the draw was made for the 2005 Asian Champions League in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Ahli was drawn in Group D where they will do battle against Al-Zawra of Iraq, Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan and Al-Jaish of Syria.
Shabab will be up against 2003 champions Al-Ain of UAE in Group B with Al Wahda of Syria and Spehan of Iran.
The seven winners of the group matches will advance into the quarterfinals along with seeded 2004 champions Al-Ittihad.
The schedule is as follows:
West Asia
Group A: Pas (Iran), Al Shorta (Iraq), Al Salmia (Kuwait), Al Rayyan (Qatar); Group B: Al Ain (UAE), Sepahan (Iran), Al-Shabab (Saudi Arabia), Al Wahda (Syria); Group C: Neftchi Fergana (Uzbekistan), Al Ahli (UAE), Al Sadd (Qatar), Al Kuwait (Kuwait; Group D: Al Zawra’a (Iraq), Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan), Al Jaish (Syria), Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia)
East Asia
Group E: Shenzhen Jianlibao (China), Korea League champions, Hoang Anh Gia Lai (Vietnam), Jubilo Iwata (Japan); Group F: BEC Tero Sasana (Thailand), China FA Cup winners, Japan League winners, Indonesia representatives B; Group G: Korea Cup winners, Krung Thai Bank (Thailand), Indonesia representatives A, Binh Dinh (Vietnam).
Note: Group matches start on March 9, 2005. Group winners and 2004 champions Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia progress to quarterfinals.
