The ACL ever-presents were placed in Group B alongside Iran’s Esteghlal, Saudi Arabia’s Al Nasr and the Play-off winner (West).

Qatar’s Al Sadd will face AFC Cup champions Al Ittihad from Syria in the play-off and the winner will meet Indian champions Dempo for a place in Group B of the AFC Champions League.

“This would be the ninth consecutive year for us to play in the AFC Champions League. We reached the semi-finals of this competition in 2003 and 2004. We have also made it to the knockout stages in the recent years.

“I think it is time for us to target the final. We will use all our experience and aim big for next year,” he told the-afc.com.

Pakhtakor lost to Qatar’s Al Gharafa 1-0 in the Round of 16 in the 2010 AFC Champions League.