The AFC Champions League is an annual tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for the top football clubs in Asia. Considered the top playground and also the goal of many teams in the region, this tournament attracts great attention from football fans around the world. So what is the AFC Champions League football tournament? Let’s with SEA Games 2019 learn about the history, participation format, competition schedule, rankings, prize money and champion teams of this tournament.
What is the AFC Champions League football tournament?
The AFC Champions League (Vietnamese: AFC Asian Football Championship) is an annual football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for leading football clubs in the region. Asia. The tournament was established in 1967 under the name Asian Football Cup, then changed its name to AFC Champions League in 2002.
This tournament attracts the participation of football clubs from countries and territories in the Asian region, including China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, UAE and many other countries. With high competition and great interest from fans, the AFC Champions League football tournament is considered the pinnacle of Asian football.
History of formation and development of the AFC Champions League football tournament
As mentioned, the AFC Champions League football tournament was established in 1967 under the name Asian Football Cup. However, in its early years, the tournament only attracted the participation of clubs from Southeast Asia and East Asia. By 1985, the tournament expanded to include clubs from West Asia and Central Asia.
Since 2002, the tournament officially changed its name to AFC Champions League and was organized according to a new format. Top football clubs from countries in the Asian region must go through a qualifying round to gain the right to participate in the group stage. After that, the teams will compete in a scoreboard and knockout format to win the championship.
Since 2009, the tournament has had some changes such as increasing the number of participating teams to 32 teams and applying a new rankings format. In 2013, the tournament also had some other changes such as increasing the number of participating teams to 48 teams and applying a new rankings format.
Format for participating in the AFC Champions League football tournament
The format for participating in the AFC Champions League football tournament has changed over the years, but basically remains the same as follows:
Elimination round, qualifying round
- The qualifying round of the AFC Champions League football tournament is held before entering the group stage. Clubs from countries and territories in the Asian region will have to compete to win the right to participate in the group stage.
- In the qualifying round, clubs will be divided into two groups: Group 1 includes clubs from countries with high performance in the previous year’s tournament and Group 2 includes clubs from countries with high performance. low or new to the tournament. Clubs in the same group will not face each other in the qualifying round.
- Clubs will compete in a knockout format in the qualifying round, with the winner qualifying for the group stage.
Group stage
- The group stage of the ACL football tournament is organized in the form of a scoreboard. The 32 teams will be divided into 8 groups, each group consisting of 4 teams. The teams will play two matches, one at home and one away.
- Teams are scored according to the following rules: 3 points for win, 1 point for draw, 0 points for loss. The scores of the teams will determine the ranking in the rankings. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the knockout round.
Knockout round
- The knockout round of the AFC Champions League football tournament includes a total of 16 teams, including the top 8 teams from the group stage and the 8 winners from the qualifying round. Teams will compete in a knockout format, with the winner advancing to the quarter-finals.
- From the quarterfinals, the teams will compete in two matches, one at home and one away. The winning team will advance to the semi-finals and then the final to compete for the championship.
AFC Champions League 2023-2024 football tournament schedule
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The match schedule of the ACL football tournament is usually announced before the tournament starts. Currently, the competition schedule for the 2023-2024 season has not been announced, but it is expected to take place from February to November 2023.
AFC Champions League 2023-2024 soccer tournament rankings
The AFC Champions League football rankings are continuously updated throughout the tournament. Teams will calculate points according to the rules: 3 points for win, 1 point for draw, 0 points for loss. The scores of the teams will determine the ranking in the rankings.
Prize money at the AFC Champions League football tournament
The AFC Champions League is not only a prestigious and prestigious playground for Asian football, but also an opportunity for clubs to earn huge prize money. According to current regulations, this tournament has a total prize money of up to 4 million USD.
The champion team will receive 1.5 million USD, the runner-up team will receive 750 thousand USD, the third ranked team will receive 500 thousand USD and the fourth ranked team will receive 250 thousand USD. In addition, teams can also earn bonuses from winning matches in the qualifying and group stages.
The winning teams of the AFC Champions League football tournament
Since its inception, the AFC Champions League football tournament has witnessed the dominance of teams from Japan, Korea and China. However, there are also teams from other countries that have surprised and won the championship title. Below is the list of teams that have won the ACL football tournament:
- Japan: Urawa Red Diamonds (2007), Gamba Osaka (2008), Kashima Antlers (2018)
- Korea: Pohang Steelers (2009), Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2006, 2016, 2017), FC Seoul (2013)
- China: Shandong Luneng (2009), Guangzhou Evergrande (2013, 2015, 2019), Shanghai SIPG (2020)
- Thailand: Buriram United (2012)
- Australia: Western Sydney Wanderers (2014), Adelaide United (2016)
- Iran: Esteghlal (1970), Persepolis (1991)
- Saudi Arabia: Al-Hilal (1991, 2000, 2019)
- Uzbekistan: Pakhtakor (1992)
- Qatar: Al-Sadd (2011)
Outstanding players at the AFC Champions League football tournament
The AFC Champions League football tournament is not only a place for clubs to compete but also a place for talented players to prove themselves. Many players who have played in this tournament have impressed and are considered the top stars of Asian football. Below is a list of excellent players who have played in the AFC Champions League football tournament:
- Lee Dong-gook (Korea): The player who scored the most goals in tournament history with 37 goals.
- Takashi Inui (Japan): Player with the most goals in a season with 8 goals (2012 season).
- Omar Abdulrahman (UAE): Player was voted the Best Player of the tournament in 2016.
- Shinji Kagawa (Japan): Player was voted the Best Player of the tournament in 2010.
- Zheng Zhi (China): Player was voted the Best Player of the tournament in 2013.
The influence of the AFC Champions League football tournament on Asian football
The AFC Champions League is not only a prestigious and prestigious playground for Asian football, but also has a great influence on the football scene in this region. Thanks to this tournament, football clubs in the region have the opportunity to compete and improve their level. In addition, the tournament also helps strengthen cooperation and exchange between clubs and countries in the region.
Conclude
The AFC Champions League is the most prestigious and prestigious tournament in Asian football. With a history of formation and development of more than 50 years, this tournament has witnessed the dominance of teams from Japan, Korea and China. However, there are also teams from other countries that have surprised and won the championship title. The AFC Champions League is not only a place for clubs to compete, but also a place for talented players to prove themselves and have a great influence on Asian football.