Al Ain are hoping to “go further” and compete for 2015 AFC Champions League glory following the group-stage draw, according to coach Zlatko Dalic.
President’s Cup winners the Boss are joined by Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ahli in the opening group matches on February 24 and 25. To join them, top-flight runners-up Al Wahda and third-placed Al Jazira have to proceed through the play-offs.
“It is great to be involved again in the Champions League,” Dalic said. “The competition is several months away, so it is hard to talk in too much detail about it as we will spend the next months collecting information on our opponents.
“It is an interesting group, a strong one. Al Shabab are always a good team, while Pakhtakor have good experience in the competition.
“Inshallah, we will go further than last time. We have very good players, and the team is together.”
Al Ain were placed into Group B in Thursday’s draw alongside Saudi’s Al Shabab Riyadh, Uzbekistan Professional Football League winners Pakhtakor and a qualifier.
The Red Knights will compete in Group D alongside Hazfi Cup holders Tractor Sazi of Iran, Uzbek’s Nasaf Qarshi and a qualifier.
Wahda will host the winner of Al Sadd of Qatar’s tie versus Bahrain’s Al Riffa on February 17. A potential spot in Group C against last year’s beaten finalists Al Hilal, Uzbek runners-up Lokomotiv Tashkent and Iran champions Foolad is up for grabs.
Meanwhile, there are plenty of added incentives for both Jazira and Eric Gerets to beat Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor in the new year and make it into the Asian Champions’ League group stages.
The Pride of Abu Dhabi could face Saudi champions Al Nassr in Group A should they win their play-off. Gerets would also come up against former team Lekhwiya, of Qatar, if Jazira make it through.
Jazira face the Uzbeks, who finished fourth in the PFL last season, in a round three qualifier on February 17 at the 34,000 capacity Stadion Bunyodkor in the capital Tashkent.