Also waiting to know their group-stages fate on Thursday’s ACL 2013 and AFC Cup draws at the AFC House from Iran are league champions Sepahan and Tehran giants Esteghlal. The fourth-place finishers in the Iran Pro-League Sabaye Qom will lock horns either with UAE sides Al Shabab Al Arabi and Al Nasr or Uzbek side Lokomotive in the play-off for two berths in the group stages.

The 2012 ACL runners-up Al Ahli will be representing Saudi Arabia alongside Saudi Pro League champions Al Shabab, Al Hilal and AFC Cup 2012 semi-finalists Al Ettifaq. Like last year, Qatar will be represented by four clubs. Qatari clubs Lekhwiya, Al Gharafa, El Jaish and Al Rayyan are hoping for a kind draw on Thursday as none of the Qatari clubs managed to reach beyond the group stages last year.

UAE Pro League champions Al Ain and cup champions Al Jazira are the automatic qualifiers with Al Shabab Al Arabi and Al Nasr playing in the play-off. Uzbek powerhouse and 2003 and 2004 ACL semi-finalists Pakhtakor will be pooled amongst clubs from the West while last year’s semi-finalists Bunyodkor will be pooled along with the clubs from the East of Asia.

Recently crowned J.League Champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima are making a reappearance in the ACL after 2010. They will be joined by Vegalta Sendai and 2007 ACL champions Urawa Reds. The fourth side from Japan will be revealed on New Year’s day when the Emperor’s Cup final takes place.

Reigning ACL champions Ulsan Hyundai will not get a chance to defend their title after finishing fifth in the K-League. Only goal difference separated them with fourth-placed Suwon Samsung Bluewings who will be joining ACL 2010 winners Pohang Steelers, ACL 2011 runners-up Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and K-League champions FC Seoul in the group stages of the ACL 2013.

Big spending Guangzhou Evergrande, Jiangsu Sainty, Beijing Guoan and Guizhou Renhe are the Chinese representatives while Central Coast Mariners and Muangthong United are direct entrants from Australia and Thailand respectively. The play-off winner between Thailand’s Buriram United and Brisbane Roar will seal the group stage berth.

Play-offs
Sabaye Qom (IRN), Al Nasr (UAE), Al Shabab Al Arabi (UAE), Lokomotive (UZB), Brisbane Roar (AUS), Buriram United (THA).

West
Al Shabab, Al Ahli, Al Hilal, Al Ettifaq (all KSA, Lekhwiya, Al Gharafa, El Jaish, Al Rayyan (all QAT), Sepahan, Esteghlal, Tractor Sazi (all IRN), Al Ain, Al Jazira (all UAE) and Pakhtakor (UZB).

East
Sanfreecce Hiroshima, Vegalta Sendai, Urawa Reds, Emperor's Cup winner (all JPN), FC Seoul, Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Pohang Steelers (all KOR), Guangzhou Evergrande, Jiangsu Sainty, Beijing Guoan, Guizhou Renhe (all CHN), Bunyodkor (UZB), Muangthong United (THA), Central Coast Mariners (AUS).