Iran Pro League runners-up Sepahan face talented Uzbek champions Bunyodkor, Al Shabab, of United Arab Emirates, and Saudi side Al Ettiqaf in the group stages, hoping for a top two place that would see them advance to the round of 16.
While he believes no match is easy, Navidkia couldn’t help but feeling a little relieved after the draw.
“We have been placed in a good group and we should be confident, but the teams are good too and it will be tough,” said Navidkia.
“Fortunately we managed to avoid some of the bigger teams, even in the play-offs, so I would say we are very lucky.
“I think with the draw as it is, we can progress past the second stage, but after that it depends on other teams’ results.”
Sepahan have always been a maverick team in Iran, winning the league title in 2003 by becoming the first non-Tehran team to break the capital’s dominance after the domestic league went pro.