The Western Sydney Wanderers face a potential Group of Death in Group H of the 2015 Asian Champions League, having been drawn alongside Guangzhou Evergrande of China, and potentially with Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan & FC Seoul of Korea.
The draw took place this evening, with the big talking point for Australian followers being the draw of defending ACL Champions the Western Sydney Wanderers against Guangzhou Evergrande, the team the Wanderers defeated in a spiteful home & away tie on their fairytale run to the final. Evergrande qualified as the 2014 Chinese Super League champions and will be keen to avenge their defeat from last season.
The teams who will contest the play-off for Group H will be FC Seoul who are seeded to the East 1 play-off game, with Ha Noi T&T of Vietnam facing up to Persib Bandung of Indonesia for the right to play the K-League 3rd placed side. The Koreans are no strangers to the Wanderers, having been defeated 2-0 on aggregate last year in the Semi-Final of the competition.
The Japanese team in the group is yet to be confirmed. The Emperor's Cup of 2014 will be contested in a few days time, with J-League winners Gamba Osaka taking on 2nd Division Montedio Yamagata. Should an boilover occur the Wanderers will be joined by Urawa Red Diamonds, the club where Shinji Ono began his professional career. If the expected result comes to fruition then 3rd placed J-League side Kashima Antlers will take the spot, a team
managed by legendard Brazilian defensive midfielder Toninho Cerezo.
Brisbane Roar are in Group G, with only Suwom Bluewings of Korea confirmed in their group, their Japanese opponents will be either Montedio Yamagata or Urawa. The final spot will be contested via the Qualifier play-offs, between Beijing Guoan, Guangzhou R & F (both of China), Johor Darul Ta'zim of Malaysia and Bengaluru of India.
The Central Coast Mariners are the final Australian team involved. They will play a do or die qualifying play-off on the 17th of February against either Bankgok Glass of Thailand, Yadanarbon of Burma or the Warriors of Singapore. If victorious the will enter Group F along with Gamba Osaka, Seongnam & Buriram United.
The final group comprises of Jeonbuk Hyundai, Shandong Luneng, Binh Duong & the winner of qualifying play-off #2.
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