2019 AFC Champions League group stage to be drawn on Thursday

The group stage draw for the 2019 AFC Champions League is set to take place in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 22 November at 7.30pm (AEDT).

Hyundai A-League clubs are drawn into the East Region and will fall into Groups E-H.

Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC are directly entering the group stage, courtesy of their respective Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Championship and Premiership triumphs.

Newcastle Jets, meanwhile, must enter through the qualifying play-offs stage.

Scroll down to see how the Jets can qualify for the group stage.

Here’s who the Hyundai A-League clubs could potentially face in the 2019 AFC Champions League Group Stage.

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Direct Group Stage qualifiers

  • Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2018 K1 League champions)
  • Shanghai SIPG (2018 Chinese Super League champions)
  • Guangzhou Evergrande (2018 Chinese Super League runners up)
  • Kawasaki Frontale (2018 J1 League champions)
  • Buriram United (2018 Thai League 1 champions)
  • Johor Darul Ta’zim (2018 Malaysia Super League champions)

Sydney FC v Shanghai Shenhua

Potential direct Group Stage qualifiers

  • Ulsan Hyundai (possible 2018 K1 League runners up or Korean FA Cup winners)
  • Gyeongnam FC (possible 2018 K1 League runners up)
  • Daegu FC (possible 2018 Korean FA Cup winners)
  • Shandong Luneng (possible 2018 Chinese FA Cup winners)
  • Beijing Guoan (possible 2018 Chinese FA Cup winners)
  • Emperor’s Cup winner (Urawa Red Diamonds, Vegalta Sendai, Montedio Yamagata, Kashima Antlers or Ventforet Kofu)

Melbourne Victory v Ulsan Hyundai

Possible Group Stage qualifiers through play-offs

  • Chiangrai United (Thailand)
  • Bangkok United (Thailand)
  • J1 League second/third/fourth place (TBC)
  • K1 League third/fourth place (TBC)
  • Perak (Malaysia)
  • Kitchee (Hong Kong)
  • Ha Noi (Vietnam)
  • Ceres-Negros (Philippines)
  • Yangon United (Myanmar)
  • Indonesia’s Liga 1 champions (TBC)

Matt McKay Ceres-Negros

How do Newcastle Jets qualify for the group stage?

On the other hand, Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Grand Finalists Newcastle Jets are qualifying play-off participants, and will play either Singapore’s Home United or the Indonesian Liga 1 Champions in a preliminary round two clash held on February 12, 2019.

Should Ernie Merrick’s side progress through that encounter, they will travel to Japan to take on the J-League’s fourth place finisher in a play-off round fixture on February 19, 2019.

Currently, Consadole Sapporo hold fourth position in the J-League with two match days remaining, with reigning AFC Champions League winners Kashima Antlers just one point ahead in third spot.

Newcastle Jets