Kenyan international Michael Olunga has a realistic shot at replicating his mindboggling stats in the 2022 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League after his Al Duhail side landed a favourable group.Duhail have been drawn in Group D and are paired alongside Iranian side Sepahan, Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan and the winners of the playoff between Al Taawon from Saudi Arabia and Syrians Al Jaish.🔴 #الدحيل في المجموعة الرابعة بدوري أبطال آسيا 2022 #ACL2022 pic.twitter.com/dTFgczPZUP— نادي الدحيل ALDUHAIL (@DuhailSC) January 17, 2022 None of the sides have ever lifted the coveted trophy but Sepahan have pedigree in the competition having reached the final of the 2007 edition.Pakhtakor have graced the semi-finals of the club continental tourney twice in the 2002-2003 edition and back in 2004 where they lost to Thai side BEC Tero Sasana and South Korean side Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma respectively.Duhail suffered elimination at the Group Stage hurdle last season after finishing second behind Iranian side Esteghlal and missing out on qualification as the best second-placed side. Despite the early elimination, Olunga finished as the Champions League top scorer with nine goals, two more than Brazilian forward Gustavo whose Jeonbuk Motors’ reached the quarter-finals.✨#ACL2022 group stage draw results ✨The toughest group is _______ pic.twitter.com/zZJ2M7ae47— #ACL2022 (@TheAFCCL) January 17, 2022 The Group Stages of the 2022 edition are set to kick off on Tuesday 10 May with this being the 41st edition of Asia’s premier club football tournament.Saudi giants Al Hilal will be looking to defend their crown and are also the most successful side in the competition having won four titles.
