Asian Champions League holders Ulsan to face debutants in group phase

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - AFC Champions League Final - Persepolis v Ulsan Hyundai FC - Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar - December 19, 2020 Ulsan Hyundai FC's Sin Jin-Ho lifts the trophy as they celebrate winning the AFC Champions League REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari

HONG KONG (Reuters) - South Korea's Ulsan Hyundai will be among the favourites to advance to the knockout rounds of this year's Asian Champions League after the defending champions were drawn to face a pair of debutants in the competition's group phase on Wednesday.

Ulsan, who defeated Iran's Persepolis in the final of last year's competition to win the title for the second time, will face Thailand's BG Pathum United and fellow newcomers Viettel from Vietnam in Group F.