 A total of 28 clubs were divided into 7 groups of four, based on region i.e.East Asian and Southeast Asian clubs were drawn in groups E to G, while the rest were grouped in groups A to D. Each club played double round-robin (home and away) against fellow three group members, a total of 6 matches each.Clubs received 3pts for a win, 1pt for a tie, 0pts for a loss.