Welcoming representatives from the participating clubs, tournament sponsors and the media, AFC General Secretary Dato' Alex Sossay also recalled November's thrilling finale to the 2011 ACL between Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Al Sadd that will go down as one of the most entertaining deciders in the history of Asian club competition.

"The 2011 final was one of the best yet and with an ever-increasing fans base and continuing improvements in the quality of play we are confident of seeing another exciting year of Asian club football.

"The increased cash prizes, the prestige at stake and the chance to play alongside the best clubs across Asia has made the AFC Champions League one of the most exciting and intense competitions anywhere."

AFC Champions League 2012 - Group Stage

Group A

A1. Al Rayyan (QAT)
A2. Al Jazira (UAE)
A3. Nasaf (UZB)
A4. ACL Playoff West: winner 1 or 2 (TBC)

Group B

B1. Al Ittihad (KSA)
B2. Al Arabi (QAT)
B3. Baniyas (UAE)
B4. Pakhtakor (UZB)

Group C

C1. Sepahan (IRN)
C2. Al Ahli (KSA)
C3. Lekhwiya (QAT)
C4. Al Nasr (UAE)

Group D

D1. ACL Playoff West: winner 1 or 2 (TBC)
D2. Piroozi (IRN)
D3. Al Hilal (KSA)
D4. Al Gharafa (QAT)

Group E

E1. Gamba Osaka (JPN)
E2. ACL Playoff East: winner 1 or 2 (TBC)
E3. Bunyodkor (UZB)
E4. ACL Playoff East: winner 1 or 2 (TBC)

Group F

F1. Ulsan Hyundai (KOR)
F2. Emperor's Cup winner (JPN)
F3. Brisbane Roar (AUS)
F4. Beijing Guoan (CHN)

Group G

G1. Tianjin Teda (CHN)
G2. Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (KOR)
G3. Nagoya Grampus (JPN)
G4. Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Group H

H1. League champions (THA)
H2. Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN)
H3. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR)
H4. Kashiwa Reysol (JPN)

AFC Champions League 2012 - Playoffs

East Zone

18/02/12

Pohang Steelers (KOR) v FA Cup winners (THA)

Due to the withdrawal of Liaoning Whowin and Persipura Jayapura, the East Zone Playoffs were reduced to three teams. A three-way draw was conducted with Adelaide United receiving direct entry to the Group Stage, where they were drawn in Group E alongside the winner of the Pohang versus Thai FA Cup winners match.

West Zone

11/02/12 - Round 1

Esteghlal (IRN) v Zob Ahan (IRN)

18/02/12 - Round 2

Al Shabab (UAE) v Neftchi (UZB)
Round 1 winner (TBC) v Al Ettifaq (KSA)

If Al Ettifaq win then they will be positioned in A4, while that position will be occupied by one of the Iranian clubs should they win the final playoff round. The winner of Al Shabab's match with Neftchi will be placed in D1.