Defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande will face familiar foes Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the group stage of the AFC Champions League following Tuesday's draw in Kuala Lumpur.

Marcello Lippi's charges became the first Chinese side to be crowned continental champions in 23 years after edging out Korean counterparts FC Seoul on away goals following a 3-3 draw on aggregate in the final having advanced from the group stage alongside 2006 champions Jeonbuk.

And having also faced 2011 finalists Jeonbuk in the group stage of their maiden continental campaign a year earlier, Guangzhou will be joined in Group G by the winners of Japan's Emperor's Cup and one of two teams who advance from the play-offs in the East when the group stage gets underway at the end of February.

"We will play against Jeonbuk for a third time, so they're old opponents but they're also friends," said Guangzhou Evergrande president Liu Yongzhou. "I think it is fate that we've been drawn against them.

"I believe this year all of the Chinese clubs will devote themselves to doing their best in the AFC Champions League. They will fight for China and we believe the other Chinese clubs will do well."

Beaten 2013 finalists FC Seoul will face J.League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima, A-League Grand Final winners Central Coast Mariners, and another play-off winner in Group F.

Elsewhere in the East, K-League champions and 2009 AFC Champions League winners Pohang Steelers will meet Thai double winners Buriram United and China's Shandong Luneng in Group E in addition to a Japanese representative which will be finalised following the result of the Emperor's Cup.

Yokohama F.Marinos took runners-up spot in the J. League with Kawasaki Frontale finishing two points further back in third to guarantee their places in the AFC Champions League, however, should either team win the ongoing Emperor's Cup, they would be placed in the AFC Champions League group stage as domestic tournament champions rather than via their final league standing.

And in Group H, A-League Premiers and AFC Champions League debutants Western Sydney Wanderers will face 2011 champions Ulsan Hyundai, China's Guizhou Renhe as well as the final J.League side in Group H.

In the West, two-time champions Al Ittihad will make their return to the competition in Group C alongside fellow former winners Al Ain from the United Arab Emirates as well as Iran's Tractorsazi Tabriz and one of two play-off winners from the West.

"The draw is good and fair for us," said Al Ittihad team manager Atef Tashkandi. "We were not in the AFC Champions League last year and this gives us more motivation to do well this year and get into the final.

"Al Ain are a good team, but we are also a good team. Also, every team from Iran is difficult and we will have to work hard."

Fellow former winners Al Sadd from Qatar also return to the competition in Group D alongside Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, Iran's Sepahan and Al Ahli from the United Arab Emirates having won the 2012/13 Qatar Stars League title.

Elsewhere, Saudi champions and AFC Champions League debutants Al Fateh will be joined in Group B by two-time semi-finalists Bunyodkor from Uzbekistan and Iran's Foolad as well as a team advancing from the play-offs.

Finally, Iran champions Esteghlal will look to build on last year's semi-final appearance as the two-time Asian Club Championship winners begin their campaign in Group A against Qatar's Al Rayyan, Al Jazira from the UAE and Saudi Arabia's Al Shabab.

The four outstanding places in the group stage of the AFC Champions League will be decided by the play-offs which take place over three rounds at the start of February, while following a change to the competition format, the tournament will remain separated geographically until after the semi-finals to ensure East and West representation in November's final.

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