KUALA LUMPUR - Sepahan of Iran has been drawn in the “Group of Death” in the 2011 AFC Champions League.

The Isfahan-based team is in Group A along with Saudi giant Al Hilal, Qatar Stars League winner Al Gharafa and the UAE league runner-up Al Jazira in one of the toughest of the eight groups.
Esteghlal is in the same group with AFC Champions League ever-present Pakhtakor, Al Nassr from Saudi Arabia and the winner of the West Zone play-off which will be determined on February 19 in Group B.
Iran’s Persepolis has been also drawn in a tough group. The team will face two-time champion Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia, Uzbek powerhouse Bunyodkor and an Al Wahda of UAE in Group C.
Last edition’s runner-up Zob Ahan was pooled with Al Rayyan of Qatar, last year’s semi-finalist Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia and first-time qualifier Emirates in Group D.
AFC Champions League 2011 – Group Stage Draw
WEST Group A – Al Hilal (KSA), Al Gharafa (QAT), Al Jazira (UAE), Sepahan (IRN) Group B – Esteghlal (IRN), Al Nassr (KSA), Pakhtakor (UZB), Playoff Winners Group C – Al Wahda (UAE), Persepolis (IRN), Al Ittihad (KSA), Bunyodkor (UZB) Group D – Al Rayyan (QAT), Emirates (UAE), Zobahan (IRN), Al Shabab (KSA)
West Playoffs 12/02/2011 Al Sadd (QAT) v Al Ittihad (SYR) 19/02/2011 Al Sadd/Al Ittihad v Dempo (IND)
EAST Group E – Jeju United (KOR), Melbourne Victory (AUS), Gamba Osaka (JPN), Tianjin Teda (CHN) Group F – Hangzhou Greentown (CHN), FC Seoul (KOR), Playoff Winners, Nagoya Grampus (JPN) Group G – Cerezo Osaka (JPN), Shandong Luneng (CHN), Jeonbuk Motors (KOR), Arema Indonesia (IDN) Group H – Sydney FC (AUS), Emperor’s Cup winners (JPN), Shanghai Shenhua (CHN), Suwon Bluewings (KOR)
East Playoffs 12/02/2011 Sriwijaya (IDN) v Muangthong United (THA) 19/02/2011 Sriwijaya/Muangthong v Al Ain* (UAE