The hotly anticipated 2019 AFC Champions League group stage kicks off in the East Zone with the 16 sides beginning their campaigns on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Holders Kashima Antlers will be among the main draws, while Groups E to H feature a total of five former champions and three debutants in what promises to be an exciting round of fixtures.

Group E

After defeating Australia's Newcastle Jets in the play-off round, Kashima Antlers will begin Group E at home to tournament newcomers Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) of Malaysia on Tuesday.

The 2015 AFC Cup winners JDT, meanwhile, have exited in the qualifying rounds in the past four editions of the competition but finally take their place in the group stage after winning last year's Malaysia Super League. 

Elsewhere, fellow debutants Gyeongnam FC of Korea Republic make their tournament bow at home to China's Shandong Luneng after finishing as runners-up in the 2018 K League 1.

Shandong's last appearance in the tournament was when they reached the 2016 quarter-finals before defeat to FC Seoul. They return after coming third in last year's Chinese Super League and overcoming Vietnam's Hanoi FC in the play-off round.

Group F

Also on Tuesday, two-time champions Guangzhou Evergrande return for the eighth successive year when they welcome Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima to southern China.

Guangzhou are one of only three sides to twice lift the AFC Champions League title – in 2013 and 2015 – but exited at the Round of 16 last year, while Sanfrecce are returning for the first time since 2016 after defeating Thailand's Chiangrai United in the play-off round. 

Earlier in the day, Australia's Melbourne Victory will get the East Zone action underway when they host Korea Republic's Daegu FC in what will be their seventh appearance on the Continent.

The A-League side have never been beyond the last 16, while Daegu are another team making their Continental bow after winning the 2018 Korean FA Cup.

Group G

On Wednesday, two more two-time AFC Champions League winners will launch their campaigns with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors hosting Beijing FC and Urawa Red Diamonds taking on Buriram United.

Jeonbuk won the competition in 2006 and 2016 and will be among the favourites to lift the title once more, while Chinese FA Cup winners Beijing return to a competition they last graced in 2015 – when they were eliminated in the first knockout round by Jeonbuk. 

Urawa enjoyed continental glory in 2007 and then once more in 2017 but failed to qualify for the 2018 edition. The Saitama side return after lifting last year's Emperor's Cup.

Thai club Buriram reached the knockout rounds last year and are a regular feature in the competition. Their best performance to date came in reaching the 2013 quarter-finals.

Group H

Chinese Super League champions Shanghai SIPG will begin their fourth successive AFC Champions League campaign at home to 2018 J.League winners Kawasaki Frontale on Wednesday.

They met twice in the group stage last year, with Shanghai winning in Japan and the teams playing out a 1-1 draw in China as Shanghai progressed and Kawasaki exited. 

Finally, Sydney FC are appearing in their third Continental campaign in four years and they begin with a home clash against 2012 winners Ulsan Hyundai of Korea Republic.

The Australian side fell at the group stage in 2018 and have yet to progress beyond the last 16. Ulsan, meanwhile, advanced to the 2019 edition after defeating Malaysia's Perak 5-1 in the play-off round.

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