| Founded | 1967 (2002 in its current format) |
|---|---|
| Region | AFC (Asia) |
| Number of teams | 32 |
| Current champions | Al-Sadd SC (2nd title) |
| Most successful club | Pohang Steelers (3 titles) |
| 2012 AFC Champions League | |
The AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs. The champions receive about US$2.25 million in prize money (specific amount depends on record from the group stage) and a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup at the end of the year.
Starting 2009 season, the defending champion no longer receives an automatic berth, forcing them to qualify through their respective domestic league or cup competitions. However, the 2008 champions, Gamba Osaka, and the 2009 champions, Pohang Steelers, both managed to qualify for the following season. In the 2010 edition though, the defending champions, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma became the first club to fail to secure a spot in the following year's Champions League.
The qualifying round starts in late February and the single-match final takes place in early November at a neutral venue. During the World Cup years, the qualifying rounds tends to start bit earlier.
Pohang Steelers is currently the most successful club in the competition's history, having won their third title in 2009. League-wise, the Korean K-League has 9 titles and is the most successful league competition followed by the Japanese J. League which has 5 previous winners. The last five editions (2006–2010) have seen K-League clubs win 3 titles (2006, 2009, 2010) and J.League with 2 titles (2007, 2008), showing the dominance by the Eastern clubs.
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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 the 1968 season, the tournament was held annually until 1971. During the first four editions, two Israeli clubs, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv won three championships. In 1972, the tournament was canceled due to a lack of interest which eventually resulted in the withdrawal of all participants except for two. The tournament was not held for the next fourteen years; this was also because professionalism in Asian club football did not start till the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Using the old European Cup as a model, the tournament returned to Asia during the 1985/86 season with a new name, the Asian Club Championship. Entry was restricted to the domestic champions of certain Asian leagues. Even so, a few withdrawals were seen from year to year. From 1990, AFC introduced the Asian Cup Winners Cup which, as the name suggested, was also restricted to domestic cup winners. The winners of
From 2002/03 season the three major Asian club competitions, Asian Champions Cup, Asian Cup Winners Cup, and Asian Super Cup were merged into one larger tournament and re-branded as the 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 this larger competition. In the first edition, after several qualifying rounds, a total of sixteen clubs participated in group stage. One club from each group hosted the group stage which were conducted with the single round-robin format in a week. Four group winners then qualified to the semifinals, which were the four hosts of the group stage. The semifinal and the final were contested in two-legged aggregate series.
The 2003/04 season was cancelled due to the SARS virus outbreak.
The tournament was re-launched in 2004 season with 28 clubs from fourteen countries. Unlike the previous year, the tournament schedule was changed from March to November. In the group stage, the 28 clubs were divided into seven groups of four on a regional basis, separating East Asian and West Asian clubs to reduce traveling costs, and played double round-robin on a home and away basis. Then, the seven group winners along with the defending champions qualified to the quarterfinals. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals were two-legged series, with away goals, extra time, and penalties used as tie-breakers. The 2005 season saw Syrian clubs join the competition, thus increasing the number of participating countries to 15, and two years later, following their transfer into the AFC in 2006, Australian clubs were also included in the tournament. With lack of professionalism in Asian football, many problems still existed in the tournament, such as on field violence and late submission of the player registration. Many blamed the lack of prize money and expensive travel cost as the some of the reasons. However, with the introduction of the FIFA World Club Championship in 2005 (now known as FIFA Club World Cup), inclusion of English media via the A-League, and two consecutive wins by Japanese sides, allowed to set up a more competitive and more professional format in 2009.
The Champions League expanded to 32 clubs and direct entry is limited to the top ten Asian leagues. Each country will receive up to 4 slots, though no more than one third of the number of teams in that country's top division, rounded downwards, depending on the strength of their league, league structure (professionalism), marketability, financial status, and other criteria set out by the AFC Pro-League committee.[1] The assessment criteria and ranking for participating associations will be revised by AFC every two years, with the most recent ones being approved for 2011–2012 seasons.[2]
The prize money has been significantly increased since 2009 season and the clubs can earn some prize money even at the group stage depending on their performance. The group stage is conducted in the same manner as the previous four tournaments; this time, however, now eight group winners and eight runners-up qualify to the Round of 16, in which group-winners play host to the runners-up in a single match format, matched regionally. The regional restriction is lifted from the further stages, though since 2010 season clubs from the same country cannot face each other in the quarterfinals unless that country has three or more representatives in the quarterfinals. The quarterfinals and the semifinals are played in two-legged series, with away goal, extra time, and penalties used as tie-breakers. The final is played as a single match at a pre-determined neutral venue.
The Round of 16 will be a two-legged affair starting 2013. Also, currently venue for the final is debated. During the 2009-2010 seasons, the final was held at a pre-determined neutral venue; Tokyo, Japan in both seasons. However, for the 2011-2012 seasons, the final will be held at one of the finalists home stadium determined by the draw of lots. After studying these two cases, the venue for the finals for 2013 season and onward will be determined. [3]
The qualifications are based on AFC Final Assessment Rankings (see below). The assessments was conducted by AFC Pro-League committee during 2006–2008, and is based on the football competitiveness, professionalism, marketability, and financial status of the league and its clubs. Leagues can have up to four spots, but no more than one third of the number of teams in that country's top division, rounded downwards. However, some leagues may have to enter their clubs through qualifying playoffs. The previous year AFC Cup finalists may also enter qualifying play-offs given that their league meets the AFC Champions League criteria.
The new assessment ranking was expected to be published in November 2010, with an intention to it being updated every two years.[4] However, after realizing that newly set criteria are hard to be implemented on time, AFC decided to maintain the existing allocation scheme for two more seasons and postpone the publishing of a new ranking for one year till November 2011. This ranking is expected to be applied for 2013 season onwards.[5]
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* One of the K-League clubs, Sangju Sangmu Phoenix, is unable to qualify for the ACL because the team is not a commercial entity and their players are not professionally contracted.[5] ** One of the A-League clubs, Wellington Phoenix, is based in New Zealand, an OFC member country. They are unable to qualify for the ACL.[6] *** Two of the S.League clubs, Etoile FC and Albirex Niigata (S), are based in Singapore, but are foreign clubs. One other clubs from the S. League, the Young Lions, consists of players of the Singapore under-23 national team and is under direct control of the FAS. They are unable to qualify for the ACL. |
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The finalists of the AFC Cup of preceding season will also participate in the play-off, provided that they meet the Champions League criteria.
8 teams, 2 knock-out rounds, each 1 leg, on a regional basis, 2 winners qualify for the group stage.
A total of 32 clubs are divided into 8 groups of four, based on region i.e. East Asian and South-east Asian clubs are drawn in Group E to H, while the rest are grouped in Group A to D. Each group is a double round robin, for a total of 6 matches for each team. 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:
The eight group winners and eight runners-up qualify to the Knock-out Round.
Group winners vs group runners-up, 1 leg, on a regional basis.
All 8 clubs are randomly matched; however, starting 2010 season,[7] 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.
One 90-min game at a neutral venue. If tied after regulation, extra-time, penalty kick will be used to produce a winner.
On 5 November 2008 it was announced that Qatar’s leading telecom company Qtel will sponsor the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and the AFC Champions League from 2009-2012.[8]
On 8 January 2009 it was confirmed that Emirates Airline signed a four-year extension to its sponsorship deal with AFC.[9]
In November 2009, the AFC signed a $1 billion 8-year deal with WSG starting 2013. Most of this money will be allocated to the AFC Champions League.[10]
The budget for the tournament has increased from US $4 million in 2008 to US $20 million in 2009, with the total prize pool now equalling US $14 million. The winner receives US $1.5 million in prize money plus additional winnings collected from the earlier rounds.[11][12] Clubs receive a travel subsidy for each away match. Thus, for each round of 16 tie, only one club receives a travel subsidy.
| Associations | Spots | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002/03 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | ||
| East Asia | |||||||||||
| Australia | – | – | – | – | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | |
| China PR | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| Indonesia | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Japan | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| Korea Republic | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| Singapore | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Thailand | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Vietnam | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 8 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 15 | ? | |
| West Asia | |||||||||||
| Bahrain | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| India | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Iran | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
| Iraq | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Kuwait | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Qatar | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | |
| Saudi Arabia | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| Syria | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Turkmenistan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| UAE | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| Uzbekistan | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | |
| Total | 8 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | ? | |
| Total | |||||||||||
| 16 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | ||
| Season | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Hapoel Tel Aviv |
2 – 1 | Selangor FA |
Bangkok |
| 1969 | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
1 – 0 | Yangzee FC |
Bangkok |
| 1970 | Taj |
2 – 1 | Hapoel Tel Aviv |
Amjadieh Stadium, Tehran |
| 1971 | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
2 - 01 | Al-Shorta Club |
Bangkok |
1 The final was scratched and Maccabi were awarded the championship after Al-Shorta refused to play in the final for political reasons.
1 The championship was decided in a final pool of four teams.
2 The final was scratched and Yomiuri FC were awarded the championship after Al-Hilal objected to the match officials that were chosen for the first leg and refused to participate in the final.
| Season | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Pohang Steelers | 2 – 1 | Al-Ittihad FC | National Stadium, Tokyo | 25,743 |
| 2010 | Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma | 3 – 1 | Zob Ahan FC | National Stadium, Tokyo | 27,308 |
| 2011 | Al-Sadd SC | 2 – 2 (4-2 PSO) |
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju | 41,805 |
Italics are withdrawn associations.
| Year | New Entry Team(s) |
|---|---|
| 1967 | Hong Kong, Israel, Malaysia, South Korea, South Vietnam, Thailand |
| 1969 | India, Iran, Japan, Philippines |
| 1970 | Indonesia, Lebanon |
| 1971 | Iraq, Kuwait |
| 1986 | Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, China, Jordan, Macau, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, North Yemen, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Yemen, Sri Lanka, Syria, United Arab Emirates, |
| 1987 | South Yemen |
| 1988 | None |
| 1989 | North Yemen |
| 1990 | Yemen |
| 1991 | None |
| 1992 | None |
| 1993 | Vietnam |
| 1994 | None |
| 1995 | Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan |
| 1996 | Guam |
| 1997 | None |
| 1998 | None |
| 1999 | Palestinian territories |
| 2000 | Cambodia |
| 2001 | None |
| 2002 | None |
| Year | New Entry Team(s) |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Brunei, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Macau, Maldives, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen |
| 2004 | Bahrain |
| 2005 | None |
| 2006 | None |
| 2007 | Australia |
| 2008 | None |
| 2009 | Singapore |
| 2010 | None |
| 2011 | None |
The following table lists countries by number of winners and runner-up in AFC Champions League (Asian Club Championship also included).
South Korea is the current leader with 9 titles.
| Nation | Winners | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 9 | 5 |
| Japan | 5 | 3 |
| Saudi Arabia | 4 | 6 |
| Iran | 3 | 4 |
| Israel | 3 | 1 |
| Thailand | 2 | 1 |
| Qatar | 2 | 1 |
| China | 1 | 2 |
| United Arab Emirates | 1 | 1 |
| Iraq | 0 | 2 |
| Australia | 0 | 1 |
| Malaysia | 0 | 1 |
| Oman | 0 | 1 |
| Syria | 0 | 1 |
The following table lists Clubs by number of winners and runner-up in AFC Champions League (Asian Club Championship also included).
| 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 |
| 2008 | Nantawat Thansopa | Krung Thai Bank | 9 |
| 2009 | Leandro | Gamba Osaka | 10 |
| 2010 | Jose Mota | Suwon Samsung Bluewings | 9 |
| 2011 | Lee Dong-Gook | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 9 |
| Year | Club |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Gamba Osaka |
| 2009 | Pohang Steelers |
| 2010 | Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma |
| 2011 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
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