AFC National Team Competitions Director Shin Man Gil displays a ballot card of Persepolis FC from Iran during the 2017 AFC Champions League football tournament official draws for playoff and group stages in Kuala Lumpur on December 13, 2016. - AFP PHOTO
The Southern Tigers emerged champions in 2015 after edging Tajikistan’s Istiklol FC 1-0, but they crashed out in the semi-finals after losing 4-2 on aggregate to Bengaluru of India last season.
But it will be tougher to win this time as a new format has been introduced for the new season. The competition will involve 36 teams. They are divided into nine groups of four teams each according to the five zones – West Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, East Asia and Asean.
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