Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) could face 2018 AFC Champions League (ACL) winners Kashima Antlers in the group stage when the new campaign commences next year.

The five-time Malaysian Super League champions, who became the first Malaysian team to play on the biggest stage in Asian club football, were placed into Group E during a draw held on Thursday, but their opponents were unconfirmed yet as domestic seasons of their potential opponents were still ongoing.

The Southern Tigers could face the eight-time J.League champions if the latter failed to win the Emperor's Cup, finished third or fourth in the league (depending on the Emperor's Cup results) and got past the final ACL qualifying round on February 19 — Australia's Newcastle Jets, Singapore's Home United and the Indonesian top-flight champions would also be in contention to grab this Group E spot.

Kashima, who beat Persepolis 2-0 on aggregate in the final earlier this month, are currently third in the 2018 J.League season with two games remaining, and in the Emperor's Cup semi-finals.

Depending on results, the ACL qualifying round slot reserved for Japan could also go to the likes of Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Consadole Sapporo, FC Tokyo or Urawa Red Diamonds.

JDT would also find out about the identity of another Group E team on February 19, who could be 2018 Chinese FA Cup winners Shandong Luneng or Beijing Guoan, Thailand's Bangkok United or Vietnam's Hanoi FC.

Their final Group E rivals would be a South Korean club of either Gyeongnam FC or Ulsan Hyundai.

The latter could also qualify for the Champions League as 2018 Korean FA winners if they emerge victorious over Daegu FC on December 9.

Meanwhile, Perak would be in Group H alongside Australia's Sydney FC, Japan's Kawasaki Frontale and China's Shanghai SIPG if they overcame Hong Kong's Kitchee and a South Korean side in the qualifying rounds.