Two would-be domestic champions will clash in Korea Republic to kick-off Group F as both Ulsan and FC Tokyo still bear the wounds of domestic championships that got away in 2019.
Ulsan Hyundai narrowly missed out on their third K League 1 title at the end of 2019 after being pipped at the post by Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, but they return to the AFC Champions League for the fourth successive year.
The club are one of four Korean sides to have lifted the trophy, with their crowning glory coming in 2012 when they defeated Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli 3-0 in the final. Since then, Ulsan haven’t been able to match that performance, with back-to-back Round of 16 appearances in 2018 and 2019 the furthest they have been able to advance.
FC Tokyo, meanwhile, came agonisingly close to winning their first J.League title in 2019 but a poor run in their final three games saw them lose out at the last. But the capital city side still enjoyed an excellent season and now return to the AFC Champions League for the first time since 2016 after defeating Filipino club Ceres-Negros in the play-offs.
On their previous appearance they progressed to the Round of 16 before an away goals defeat to Shanghai SIPG, while they also reached the last 16 in 2012, when they lost to Guangzhou Evergrande.
Both sides will be looking to make up for their respective domestic disappointments last year and kick off 2020 on the front foot as they look to go deep in their championships at home and on the Continent.
Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) vs FC Tokyo (JPN)
Venue: Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, Ulsan
Kick-off: February 11, 19:30 UTC+9
Venue: Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, Ulsan
Kick-off: February 11, 19:30 UTC+9
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