The ‘draw’ was conducted at AFC House but circumstances dictated that the teams had to be placed in their respective groups rather than selected at random.

Suzuki explained that this placement was deliberate to ensure that teams from the same countries avoid playing their home matches on the same day.

“In order to achieve the best possible media coverage for the preliminary stage matches as well as securing maximum access to the matches for the fans, the AFC decided that clubs from the same country cannot play their home matches on the same day which is why the AFC has implemented the ‘double match day system,’ he stated.

Last year’s AFC Cup runners-up Al Karama, who fell at the first West Zone play-off hurdle when they lost to Al Wahda, are in Group A, while India’s Churchill Brothers, the second victims of the UAE side on route to their ACL qualification, were placed in Group B.

After Al Karama’s chances of a return to Asia’s premier club competition having been ended with a shock 1-0 home defeat Mohamad Kwid’s side now find themselves in the AFC Cup, alongside Al Ahli Sana’a, Saham from Oman and 2007 champions Shabab Al Ordon.

AFC Cup winners also await Churchill Brothers with reigning champions Kuwait Sports Club and Al Hilal of Yemen making up three-team Group B.

A similar scenario befell the Eastern side of the AFC Cup with Thailand’s Muangthong United, who lost on penalties in a thrilling final East Zone play-off with Singapore Armed Forces placed in Group G with Hong Kong high-fliers South China, VB from the Maldives and Indonesia’s Persiwa Wamena.

Persiwa’s Indonesian Super League rivals Sriwijaya, whose dreams of an immediate return to the ACL were also ended by the S.League champions, are in Group F with Maldives outfit Victory, Binh Duong from Vietnam and Malaysia’s only representatives in the tournament Selangor.

After losing the first ACL East Zone play-off 3-0 to Muangthong United, Da Nang will be looking for revenge in the AFC Cup when they face Thailand FA Cup champions Thai Port in Group H, which also features Hong Kong’s Tai Po and Geylang United from Singapore.

“I would like to congratulate Al Wahda and Singapore Armed Forces for qualifying to the AFC Champions League and at the same time I hope that the clubs who joined the draw today enjoy an exciting season in the AFC Cup,” remarked Suzuki.