The draw for the group stage was held on 7 January 2009 in
Abu Dhabi,
UAE. Each club played double round-robin (home and away) against fellow three group members, a total of 6 matches each. Each team had been numbered from 1 to 4, the numbers determine the order of the fixtures. • Match Day 1: 1 vs 4, 3 vs 2 • Match Day 2: 2 vs 1, 4 vs 3 • Match Day 3: 1 vs 3, 4 vs 2 • Match Day 4: 3 vs 1, 2 vs 4 • Match Day 5: 4 vs 1, 2 vs 3 • Match Day 6: 1 vs 2, 3 vs 4 Clubs receive 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss. The clubs are ranked according to points and tie breakers are in following order: • Greater number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned; • Goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned; (
Away goals do not apply) • Greater number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned; (
Away goals do not apply) • Goal difference in all the group matches; • Greater number of goals scored in all the group matches; • Kicks from the penalty mark if only two teams are involved and they are both on the field of play; • Fewer score calculated according to the number of yellow and red cards received in the group matches; (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card as a consequence of two yellow cards, 3 points for each direct red card, 4 points for each yellow card followed by a direct red card) • Drawing of lots. Winners and runners-up of each group qualified for the next round.
Group A Group B Group C Group D Group E Group F Group G Group H ==Knockout stage==