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The draw of the AFC Champions League 2012 group stage

The draw for the Group Stage of the 2012 AFC Champions League took place at AFC headquarters at Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, has drawn the UAE champions and President's Cup winners Al Jazira in Group" A", with Qatari side Al Rayyan, AFC Cup winners Nasaf from Uzbekistan and one of the play-off winners (2), while Abu Dhabi's Bani Yas will play in Group "B" against 2011 semi-finalists Al Ittihad from Saudi Arabia, Qataris Al Arabi and Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan. Al Nasr are to compete in Group "C" and will have to tackle it out against Iran Pro League champions Sepahan and Qatar champions Lakhwiya, along with Saudi side Al Ahli.  

Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia will face in Group "C" Al Gharafa of Qatar, Piroozi from Iran and Play-off West winner (2) while Bunyodkor from Uzbekistan will take on Japanese team Gamba Osaka in Group "E" along with Play-off East winner 1, and Play-off East winner 2.

Thirty two teams will take part in this championship among which 28 squads have qualified directly to take part in the first round in addition to other four teams (two from each East and West Asia zones) which will be determined at the end of the preliminary stage. 

The draw has offered Al Ettifaq of Saudi Arabia a chance to qualify directly to the second preliminary stage where to face the winning team in the match between Esteghlal and Zobahan 

 The first preliminary stage will be played On February 11, 2012 when Esteghlal and Zobahan will meet in Tehran and the team emerge winners in this game will qualify to face the Saudi Al Ettifaq on February 18 and the winners in the clash between the two Iranian teams Esteghlal and Zobahan will play in the preliminary stage Group "A" along with Qatari side Al Rayyan, UAE Al Jazira and Nasaf from Uzbekistan.

In the second match of the second preliminary stage, the UAE Al Shabab will meet Neftchi from Uzbekistan on February 18 at their home ground, and the winners will join Group "D". But in the East Asian zone qualifications, Adilaed United from Australia will proceed direct to the first round according to the draw.  Pohang Steelers of South Korea will face in the second game of the preliminary stage, FA Cup winners from Thailand which will be determined later and their encounter and the game will be held in Korea on February 18 and the qualified winners (Adilaed United and the winners in the game between Pohang and Thailand FA Cup Champions) will join Group "E" along with Gamba Osaka (JPN) and Bunyodkor (UZB).

It is worth mentioning that Al Sad of Qatar were crowned champions of the last AFC Champions League edition after beating Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) on shootout penalties, but Al Sad failed to qualify to the next edition.