Iranian football clubs Esteghlal Tehran, Persepolis, Zob Ahan Isfahan and Esteghlal Melli-Sanati Khuzestan have found out their opponents at the group stage of the 2017 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League.
During the draw ceremony in the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, Ahvaz-based Esteghlal Melli-Sanati Khuzestan football club, commonly known as Esteghlal Khuzestan, joined al Jazira of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar’s Lekhwiya Sports Club in Group B.
Iran’s Zob Ahan, Al Ahli Saudi Sport Club and Emirati Al Ain formed Group C in the forthcoming tournament.
Persian Gulf Pro League professional football club Persepolis will play Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal football club and Qatari Al Rayyan sports club.
Tehran’s blue-clad giants Esteghlal will meet Al Sadd of Qatar in the play-off round.
The 2017 AFC Champions League, which will be the 36th edition of Asia's premier club football tournament, will begin on January 24, and will wrap up on November 25.
The winners of the tournament will qualify as the AFC representative for the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup in the UAE.