Uzbek double winners Bunyodkor, who reached the semi-finals last year, take on Saudi side Al Ettifaq, Iran’s Sepahan and UAE’s Al Shabab in their group.

AFC Player of the Year Djeparov said: “This ACL will be much more difficult for us than last year when we were debutants and underdogs.

“But our target is still the same, to get three points from each and every game and finish on the top in the group.”

Bunyodkor, known as Bunik among their fans, beat Sepahan 2-0 at home and drew 1-1 away in last year’s competition but have never met either Al Ettifaq or Al Shabab before.

Djeparov will have a chance to measure the quality of a few Al Shabab players who represent their national team on 28 January when Uzbekistan take on the UAE in an AFC Asian Cup 2011 Group C qualifying match.