Holders Gamba Osaka have been handed a tricky group in the newly revamped AFC Champions League.

The group stage draw took place in Dubai on Wednesday, and in a newly-revamped format announced by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in December, the tournament will feature 32 teams split into West Asia and East Asia/Asean groupings.

Groups A-D are made up by West and Central Asian sides while East and Asean teams are drawn together in groups E-H.

In the West Asia draw, Group A features Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, who were two-time winners, UAE President Cup’s holders Al Ahly, Uzbekistan League runners-up Pakhtakor and Iran’s Saba Battery.

Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab will face Iran Pro League champs Persepolis, Qatar’s Al Gharafa and the winners of the West Asia qualifying play-off, UAE’s Al Sharjah or India’s Dempo in Group B.

Group C appears to be the ‘group of death’ as two-time Asian Champions Al Ittihad have been drawn with Qatar’s Umm Salal, UAE’s Al Jazira and Iran’s Hazfi Cup winners Esteghal.

In Group D, UAE League champions Al Shabab will face Iran’s Sepahan, Uzbekistan League champions Bunyodkor and Saudi Arabia’s Al Ettifaq.

In the East Asia/Asean draw, Japan’s Nagoya Grampus will make their first appearance in the competition, facing the likes of China’s Beijing Guoan, Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai and A-League side Newcastle Jets in Group E.

Group F features reigning AFC Champions League winners Gamba Osaka, K-League’s FC Seoul, China’s Shandong Luneng and Indonesia side Sri Wijaya.

In Group G, Japan’s Kashima Antlers will face China’s Shanghai Shenhua, K-League champions Suwon Bluewings, and the play-off winner from the East Asia/Asean qualifying group.

Finally in Group H, Australia’s other representative; Central Coast Mariners face a stiff challenge after they were drawn together with Korea’s FA Cup winners Pohang Steelers, Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale and China’s Tianjin Teda.

The first round of matches will be played on March 10 and 11.

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