Hyundai A-League clubs Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory will find out their opponents for the 2018 AFC Champions League tonight with the official draw to take place in Kuala Lumpur.
The Sky Blues and Victory both qualified for next year’s tournament as a result of having finished in the top two last season.
Both clubs already know which groups they will be in, with Sydney FC placed in Group H, while Victory are in Group F.
Graham Arnold’s side already know one of their three opponents, with Chinese FA Cup winners Shanghai Shenhua also in their group.
Sydney FC will then be drawn against either a Korean or Japanese team who will occupy the third place in Group H, while the fourth spot will be the winner of a play-off.
That playoff winner could be any of Korean powerhouses, including Matthew Jurman’s Suwon Bluewings, any four Japanese teams yet to qualify, Eastern Sports Club, FLC Than Hoa, Muangthong United or Johor Darul Ta’zim.
For Victory, they will face J-League winners Kawasaki Frontale and K-League runners up Jeju United or Korean champions Jeonbuk and J-League second-place getters Kashima Antlers.
The final team to take on Kevin Muscat’s men will be the winner of a playoff with Shanghai SIPG of China.
Brisbane Roar could also join Sydney and Victory in the group stage, should they come through two playoff matches.
John Aloisi’s side must have a home tie in January against opposition from Myanmar or Philippines, before a probable meeting on January 30 away to China’s Tianjin Quanjian to make the competition.
The draw will take place from 7.30pm AEDT.
