They are in Pot 3 alongside other clubs such as Kaya FC-Iloilo of the Philippines, Johor Darul Ta'zim of Malaysia, Melbourne City FC of Australia, and Lion City Sailors of Singapore.

Pot 1 consists of Ulsan Hyundai FC of the Republic of Korea, Yokohama F. Marinos of Japan, Wuhan Three Towns FC of China, Buriram United of Thailand, and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC of the Republic of Korea.

Elsewhere, Ventforet Kofu of Japan, Shandong Taishan FC of China, Bangkok United of Thailand, Pohang Steelers of the Republic of Korea, and Kawasaki Frontale of Japan have been placed in Pot 2.

Those in Pot 3 will face the risk of being drawn into a group of death as both Pot 1 and Pot 2 include very strong opponents.

Group 4 also sees the appearance of highly-rated teams, including Kitchee of Hong Kong (China), Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan, Zhejiang FC of China, Pathum United of Thailand, and Incheon United of the Republic of Korea.

Hanoi FC is the only Vietnamese representative to compete in this season’s AFC Champions League after Hai Phong FC lost out in the playoff against Incheon United.

The draw for the group stage of this season’s AFC Champions League is scheduled to take place on August 24 at the AFC headquarters in Malaysia.