City’s Group H opponents include the Thai outfit Buriram United, where Papas – who parted ways with the Jets in June – is now employed as a technical director.

Papas is also Buriram’s caretaker coach following the departure of Japan’s Masatada Ishii, who led the club to successive Thai trebles before leaving to become technical director of the Thailand national team.

“They’re going to be full of confidence under Arthur,” Melbourne City coach Rado Vidosic said.

“That’s going to be a good challenge for us.”

City’s other group opponents are Chinese outfit Zhejiang FC, and Japan’s Ventforet Kofu, who are the only second-tier team in the Champions League.

Ventforet Kofu qualified for the competition by winning Japan’s Emperors Cup last year,

City, last season’s winners of the A-League’s Premier’s Plate, is set to open its campaign against the Japanese club on September 20 at AAMI Park.

While City is the only A-League club in this season’s Champions League, two Australian teams – Central Coast Mariners and Macarthur FC – will compete in the AFC Cup

Macarthur – who qualified via their Australia Cup triumph last year – is in Group F with Dynamic Herb Cebu (Philippines), Shan United (Myanmar) and Phnom Penh Crown (Cambodia).

Macarthur coach and former Socceroo Mile Sterjovski said: “Competing in Asia is a major milestone for our club and we are proud to represent south west Sydney on the continental stage.

“We know it won’t be easy to travel away with difficult climates and long trips. Some of the teams have experience in the AFC Cup but we are very much looking forward to the challenge and confident in the ability of the team to progress to the knockout stages.”

The Mariners, whose second-place finish on last season’s A-League ladder earnt them AFC Cup qualification, are in Group G with Terengganu (Malaysia), Bali United (Indonesia) and Stallion Laguna (Philippines).