AFC Champions League
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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AFC Champions League |
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| Founded | 2002 (1967 in its older format) |
| Region | Asia (AFC) |
| Number of teams | 28 (group stage) 29 (Total) |
| Current champions |  Urawa Red Diamonds |
| Most successful club |  Al-Hilal Al-Ittihad Esteghlal Suwon Samsung Bluewings Pohang Steelers Thai Farmers Bank FC Maccabi Tel Aviv(2 times) |
 AFC Champions League 2008 |
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The AFC Champions League is the current annual Asian club football competition hosted by Asian Football Confederation (AFC). In normal circumstances, 28 top clubs from fourteen Asian countries along with the defending champions competed in the tournament.
Including the results from Asian Champion Club Tournament and Asian Club Championships, seven clubs have won the tournament twice; Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Pohang Steelers, Al-Hilal, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Thai Farmers Bank FC, Esteghlal F.C. and Al Ittihad. Maccabi cannot add any further titles, as the Israel Football Association has not been an AFC member for over 30 years, and has since joined UEFA.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Asian Champion Club Tournament Era (1967-1972)
The competition started as the Asian Champion Club Tournament back in 1967. Eight domestic champions from eight Asian leagues competed in the inaugural season. With the exception of 1968 season, the tournament was held annually until 1971. During this first four editions, two Israeli clubs from Tel Aviv took three championships. In 1972, the tournament canceled due to a lack of interests which eventually resulted in withdrawals of most participants except for two clubs. The tournament was not held for next fourteen years. This also due to the fact that professionalism in Asian club football did not start till late 90s and early 2000s.
[edit] Asian Club Championship Era (1985/86-2002/03)
Using old European Cup as a model, the tournament returned to Asia during the 1985/86 season with a new name, Asian Club Championship. Entry was restricted to the domestic champions of certain Asian leagues. Even so, few withdrawal were seen from year to year. From 1990, AFC introduced Asian Cup Winners Cup which, as the name suggest, was also restricted to domestic cup winners. The winners of these two Asian tournaments then played at the Asian Super Cup.
[edit] AFC Champions League Era (2004-2008)
From 2002/03 season the three major Asian tournaments, Asian Champions Cup, Asian Cup Winners Cup, and Asian Super Cup was merged into one larger competition and was re-branded as AFC Champions League. In the previous years, the domestic champions and cup winners were sorted into two different continental tournaments, but now both domestic champions and cup winners enter into one competition. In the first edition, after several qualifying round, a total of sixteen clubs participated. The 2003/04 season was canceled due to SARS virus and the War in Iraq. The tournament was re-launched in 2004 season with 28 clubs from fourteen countries. In the current format, these 28 clubs are divided into 7 groups of four and plays double round-robin (home and away). The seven group winners along with defending champions qualifies to the quarter-final. Quarter-final, semi-final, and finals are two-legged series, with away goal, extra time, and penalties are used as tie-breaker.
[edit] 2009-2010
The champions league will be expanded to 32 clubs and will be limited to the top eleven Asian league only. Each country will receive up to 4 slots depending on the strength of their league, league structure (professionalism), marketability, financial status and other criteria set out by the AFC Pro-League committee. New development has suggested that the 2008 AFC Cup winner and runners-up are also to play in the qualifying rounds to determine which teams will participate in the group stage[1]. The group round will be conducted in the same manner as the 2002/03-2008 edition; however, the only difference is that eight group winner and eight runners-up will qualify to the round of 16.
[edit] Qualification
[edit] Current
The domestic champions of the 20 top Asian federations qualify automatically for the tournament, along with the respective cup winners of the same federations. The tournament holders receive a bye into the quarter-finals. Clubs in 2nd-tier countries enters the AFC Cup.
[edit] 2009-2010
AFC Final Assessment Ranking
| P | Associations | Pts (Total 500) | Spots | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group stage | Qualifying play-off | AFC Cup | |||
| 1 | Japan |
470 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Korea Republic |
438 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 |  China PR |
415 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Saudi Arabia |
359 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 |  UAE |
349 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Iran |
336 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 |  Australia |
306 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 |  Indonesia |
287 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 |  Singapore |
237 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 10 |  Syria |
229 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 11 |  Uzbekistan |
229 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 12 |  Qatar |
226 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 13 | Thailand |
213 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 14 |  Jordan |
212 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 15 |  Vietnam |
211 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 16 |  Kuwait |
203 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 17 |  India |
199 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 18 |  Malaysia |
179 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 19 |  Hong Kong |
148 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 20 |  Oman |
140 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 21 |  Bahrain |
139 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| East Asia | |
| West Asia | |
| Meet the criteria | |
| Ensured to meet the criteria by 1 October 2008 | |
| Not ensured to meet the criteria by 1 October 2008 | |
| Do not meet the criteria |
Ranked 22th associations (participating in AFC President's Cup)
[edit] Format
[edit] Current
- Group Stage
A total of 28 clubs are divided into 7 groups of four, based on region i.e. East Asian and South-east Asian clubs are drawn in Group E to F, while the rest are grouped in Group A to D. Each club plays double round-robin (home and away) against fellow three group members, a total of 6 matches each. Clubs receive 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. The clubs are ranked according to points and tie breakers are in following order:
- Points earned between the clubs in question
- Goal Difference between the clubs in question
- Goals For between the clubs in question
- Points earned within the group
- Goal Difference within the group
- Goals For within the group
The seven group winners along with the defending champions qualify for the quarter-finals.
- Knock-out Round
All 8 clubs are randomly matched; however, the only restriction is that the clubs from same country cannot face each other in the quarter-finals. The games are conducted in 2 legs -home and away- where the aggregate goals decides the match winner. If the aggregate goals cannot produce a winner the away goals rule is used. If still tied the clubs play extra time, where the away goals rule still applies. If still tied after extra time, the game goes to penalties.
[edit] 2009-2010
- Qualifying play-off
8 teams, 2 knock-out rounds, each 1 leg, on a regional basis, 2 winners qualifies for Group stage
- Group Stage
32 teams, 8 groups of 4, home and away round robin, on a regional basis, winners and runners-up qualifies
- Round of 16
Group winners vs group runners-up, 1 leg, on a regional basis
- Quarter-finals and semi-finals
8 teams, each 2 legs, random draws
- Final
1 leg on a neutral venue
[edit] Prize money
For the 2004-2008 edition the money is distributed as follows. From 2009 season, the prize money also significantly increase, as several reports indicate that the champion may receive up to $ 5 million.
| Final position | Money awarded to club |
|---|---|
| 1 | $600,000 |
| 2 | $400,000 |
Note: The champion also receive at least $1 million at the FIFA Club World Cup.
[edit] Competing Asian Federations
[edit] 2002/03
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East Asia (8 teams) |
West Asia (8 teams) |
[edit] 2004
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East Asia (12 teams) |
West Asia (17 teams) |
[edit] 2005
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East Asia (12 teams) |
West Asia (17 teams) |
[edit] 2006
|
East Asia (8 teams) |
West Asia (17 teams) |
[edit] 2007
|
East Asia (13 teams) |
West Asia (15 teams) |
[edit] 2008
|
East Asia (13 teams) |
West Asia (16 teams) |
[edit] 2009
|
East Asia (16 teams) |
West Asia (16 teams) |
[edit] 2010
|
East Asia (16 teams) |
West Asia (16 teams) |
[edit] Asian Champions Cup & Champions League Finals
AFC Champions League
| Season | Winner | Score | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | |||
| 2007 | Urawa Red Diamonds |
3 - 1 (aggregate) |
Sepahan |
| 2006 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
3 - 2 (aggregate) |
Al Karama |
| 2005 | Al-Ittihad |
5 - 3 (aggregate) |
Al-Ain |
| 2004 | Al-Ittihad |
6 - 3 (aggregate) |
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma |
| 2002-03 | Al-Ain |
2 - 1 (aggregate) |
BEC Tero Sasana |
Asian Club Championship
| Season | Winner | Score | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-02 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings |
0 - 0 (4-2 pens) |
Anyang LG Cheetahs |
| 2000-01 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings |
1 - 0 | Júbilo Iwata |
| 1999-2000 | Al-Hilal |
3 - 2 | Júbilo Iwata |
| 1998-99 | Júbilo Iwata |
2 - 1 | Esteghlal |
| 1997-98 | Pohang Steelers |
0 - 0 (6-5 pens) |
Dalian Wanda |
| 1996-97 | Pohang Steelers |
2 - 1 | Cheonan Ilhwa Chunma |
| 1995-96 | Cheonan Ilhwa Chunma |
1 - 0 | Al-Nasr |
| 1994-95 | Thai Farmers Bank FC |
1 - 0 | Al-Arabi |
| 1993-94 | Thai Farmers Bank FC |
2 - 1 | Oman Club |
| 1992-93 | PAS |
1 - 0 | Al-Shabab |
| 1991-92 | Al-Hilal |
1 - 1 (4-3 pens) |
Esteghlal |
| 1990-91 | Esteghlal |
2 - 1 | Liaoning FC |
| 1989-90 | Liaoning FC |
3 - 2 (aggregate) |
Nissan FC |
| 1988-89 | Al Sadd |
3 - 3 (aggregate, away goals win) |
Al Rasheed.svg/22px-Flag_of_Iraq_(1963-1991).svg.png){kind=small} |
| 1987-88 | Yomiuri |
w/o - x (Al-Hilal withdrew) |
Al-Hilal |
| 1986-87 | Furukawa Electric |
Group stage win | Al-Hilal |
| 1985-86 | Daewoo Royals |
3 - 1 | Al-Ahly |
Asian Champion Club Tournament
| Season | Winner | Score | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
w/o - x (Al Shourta withdrew) |
Al Shourta |
| 1970 | Taj |
2 - 1 | Hapoel Tel Aviv |
| 1969 | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
1 - 0 | Yangzee FC |
| 1967 | Hapoel Tel Aviv |
2 - 1 | Selangor FA |
[edit] Participating Associations by Debut
[edit] Asian Club Championship (included qualifying round)
Italics are Withdraw association.
- 1967: Israel, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea,
South Vietnam, Thailand - 1969: India,
Philippines, Iran, Japan - 1970: Indonesia,
Lebanon - 1971: Kuwait,
Iraq - 1986:
South Yemen, 
North Yemen, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, 
Bangladesh, 
Sri Lanka, 
Maldives, 
Nepal, 
Afghanistan, 
Pakistan, Singapore, 
Brunei, 
Myanmar, 
North Korea, China, 
Macau - 1987: South Yemen
- 1988:none
- 1989: North Yemen
- 1990:
Yemen - 1991:none
- 1992:none
- 1993: Vietnam
- 1994:none
- 1995: Uzbekistan,
Turkmenistan, 
Kazakhstan, 
Kyrgyzstan, 
Tajikistan - 1996:
Guam - 1997:none
- 1998:none
- 1999:
Palestine - 2000:
Cambodia - 2001:none
- 2002:none
[edit] AFC Champions League
- 2003: Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Syria, Yemen, South Korea, Japan, Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Maldives, Brunei, Indonesia, Macau, India, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore
- 2004: Bahrain
- 2005:none
- 2006:none
- 2007: Australia
- 2008:none
- 2009:none
[edit] No Participating Associations
[edit] AFC Champions League records and statistics
[edit] By Nation
The following table lists countries by number of winners and runner-up in AFC Champions League (Asian Club Championship also included).
| # | Nation | Winners | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Korea |
7 | 4 |
| 2 | Saudi Arabia |
4 | 5 |
| 3 | Japan |
4 | 3 |
| 4 | Iran |
3 | 3 |
| 5 | Israel |
3 | 1 |
| 6 | Thailand |
2 | 1 |
| 7 | China |
1 | 2 |
| 8 | Qatar |
1 | 1 |
| 8 | United Arab Emirates |
1 | 1 |
| 10 | Iraq |
0 | 2 |
| 11 | Malaysia |
0 | 1 |
| 11 | Oman |
0 | 1 |
| 11 | Syria |
0 | 1 |
[edit] By Club
The following table lists Clubs by number of winners and runner-up in AFC Champions League (Asian Club Championship also included).
[edit] By Club Statistics
- Iraqi clubs at the AFC Champions League
- Thai clubs at the AFC Champions League
- Thai Clubs in Asian Club Championship
[edit] Top Scorers
| Year | Footballer | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-03 | Hao Haidong |
Dalian Shide |
9 |
| 2004 | Kim Do-Hoon |
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma |
9 |
| 2005 |  Mohamed Kallon |
Al-Ittihad |
6 |
| 2006 |  Magno Alves |
Gamba Osaka |
9 |
| 2007 | Mota |
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma |
7 |
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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