The Mariners, who qualified for the premier Asian club competition as A-League champions last season, will face Japanese champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Korean side FC Seoul and a play-off winner in Group F.

The Wanderers, who booked their place as A-League premiers, were drawn as the top team in Group H against Chinese FA Cup winners Guizhou Renhe, K-League runners-up Ulsan Hyundai and the yet-to-be-determined J-League runners-up.

Evergrande, who last month became the first Chinese team to win the AFC Champions League, will meet the winners of Japan's Emperor's Cup, Korean outfit Jeonbuk Hyundai and the winners of a play-off featuring Melbourne Victory in Group G.

Victory, who finished third in the A-League last season, are aiming for a return to the group stage for the first time since 2011 after Australia was handed two direct spots and an additional qualifying berth last month.

Kevin Muscat's men will host either Thailand's Muangthong United, India's Pune or Vietnam's Ha Noi T&T in a one-off match expected to take place in Geelong on Saturday February 15.

The fourth group from East Asia contains K-League winners the Pohang Steelers, Chinese Super League runners-up Shandong Luneng, Thai champions Buriram United and the third-placed J-League team, who are also yet to be determined.

The play-off winners the Mariners will take on is out of Singapore's Tampines Rovers, Hong Kong's South China, Thailand's Chonburi or China's Beijing Guoan.

Mariners coach Phil Moss described their Group F as "tough".

“We are extremely proud to be participating in the 2014 AFC Champions League,” Moss said. “Today we’ve been pooled in a very tough group, and arguably the hardest group the club has had in its four participations in the competition.

“But we love a challenge and of course we’ll be aiming to reach the knockout phase of the competition. You don’t expect an easy draw in the AFC Champions League, which is why it is such a fantastic tournament.

“We’ll be leaving no stone unturned in our preparations for the (tournament), and as always will be aiming to represent Australia with great pride in Asia.”

The Mariners competed in the 2009, 2012, and 2013 versions of the AFC Champions League and this year advanced to the last 16 for the first time in their history, eventually eliminated by tournament champions, Guangzhou Evergrande. 

Meanwhile, Wanderers executive chairman Lyall Gorman said the competition will enable the reigning Premiers to take another giant step in their evolution.

In particular, he said, the tournament was an opportunity to expose western Sydney to three of the major countries and economies in the world.

“The Asian Champions League is not just a wonderful opportunity for our players and coaches," Gorman said.

"It is yet another chance to build on the foundations we have put in place to significantly grow the Wanderers and Western Sydney brands domestically and internationally.

"On this occasion, through the many millions of viewers who watch this competition across Asia and the broader global football family.

“It is no secret that we have our sights firmly set on becoming a prominent club in the Asian region. Our first entry into the ACL competition allows us to take our initial step in this endeavour and expose our members, our fans and our partners to a truly unique and exciting journey.

“This is a remarkable and well deserved achievement for our club, for Tony (Popovic), our players and staff and for the people of Western Sydney.”

In West Asia, Esteghlal (Iran), Al Rayyan (Qatar), Al Jazira (UAE) and Al Shabab (Saudi Arabia) will meet in Group A, with Al Fateh (Saudi Arabia), Foolad (Iran), Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan) and a play-off winner placed in Group B.

Al Ain (UAE), Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Tractorsazi (Iran) and a play-off winner will contest Group C, while Al Sadd (Qatar), Al Ahli (UAE), Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) and Sepahan (Iran) have been drawn in Group D.

In the West Asia zone, Esteghlal (Iran), Al Rayyan (Qatar), Al Jazira (UAE) and Al Shabab (Saudi Arabia) will meet in Group A, with Al Fateh (Saudi Arabia), Foolad (Iran), Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan) and a play-off winner placed in Group B.

Al Ain (UAE), Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Tractorsazi (Iran) and a play-off winner will contest Group C, while Al Sadd (Qatar), Al Ahli (UAE), Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) and Sepahan (Iran) have been drawn in Group D.