AFC Champions League
Encyclopedia
The AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation
Asian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...

 (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 in prize money (specific amount depends on record from the group stage) and a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup
FIFA Club World Cup
The FIFA Club World Cup is a football competition between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations.The first FIFA Club World Championship took place in Brazil in January 2000...

 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
Gamba Osaka
is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70...

, and the 2009 champions, Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. They were originally called POSCO, after the Pohang Iron and Steel Company that owned it...

, both managed to qualify for the following season. In the 2010 edition though, the defending champions, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma is a South Korean professional football club, based in Seongnam, South Korea, that plays in the K-League...

 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
Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. They were originally called POSCO, after the Pohang Iron and Steel Company that owned it...

 is currently the most successful club in the competition's history, having won their third title in 2009
AFC Champions League 2009
The 2009 AFC Champions League was the 28th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation , and the 7th under the current AFC Champions League title. The final took place at National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan on November 7...

. League-wise, the Korean K-League
K-League
The Korea Professional Football League is South Korea's only fully professional association football league. At the top of the South Korean football league system, it is the country's highest and most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs.-Establishment:The...

 has 9 titles and is the most successful league competition followed by the Japanese J. League
J. League
The or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese...

 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.

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 the 1968 season, the tournament was held annually until 1971. During the first four editions, two Israeli clubs, Hapoel Tel Aviv
Hapoel Tel Aviv
Hapoel Tel Aviv is a sports club in Israel, founded in the 1920's, and part of the Hapoel association. It runs several sports clubs and teams in Tel Aviv which have competed in a variety of sports over the years, such as football, weightlifting and others...

 and Maccabi Tel Aviv
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Maccabi Tel Aviv is the biggest sports club in Israel and a part of the Maccabi association. It runs many sports club and teams in Tel Aviv, which compete in a variety of sports, such as football, basketball, judo, swimming, handball, and others....

 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.

Asian Club Championship Era (1985/86–2001/02)

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
Asian Cup Winners Cup
The Asian Cup Winners' Cup was an association football competition run by the Asian Football Confederation . The competition was started in 1991 as a tournament for all the domestic cup winners from countries affiliated to the AFC...

 which, as the name suggested, was also restricted to domestic cup winners. The winners of

AFC Champions League Era (2002/03–present)

2002/03 season
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.

2003/04 season
The 2003/04 season was cancelled due to the SARS virus outbreak.

2004–2008 seasons
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
FIFA Club World Cup
The FIFA Club World Cup is a football competition between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations.The first FIFA Club World Championship took place in Brazil in January 2000...

), inclusion of English media via the A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...

, and two consecutive wins by Japanese sides, allowed to set up a more competitive and more professional format in 2009.

2009–present
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. 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.

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.

Future Plans (2013-)
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
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...

, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

 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.

AFC Final Assessment Ranking for 2009–2012 seasons

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. 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.

AFC Final Assessment Ranking for 2009–2012 seasons

West Asia
Pos Member
Association
Clubs Spots
Group stage Play-off AFC Cup
AFC Cup
The AFC Cup is an annual international association football competition between domestic clubs sides run by the Asian Football Confederation . Qualification to the competition is to clubs from AFC-affiliated countries which fall into the AFC's 'developing nations' category as laid out in their...

|align=left|  Qatar
Qatar Football Association
The Qatar Football Association is the governing body of football in Qatar.-Beginnings:The advent of football at Qatar dates back to the year of 1946, accompanied by the arrival of oil companies...

12 4 0 0
|align=left|  UAE
United Arab Emirates Football Association
The United Arab Emirates Football Association is the governing body of football in the United Arab Emirates.-Domestic Competitions:*UAE Premier League*UAE Football League Division 1*UAE Football League Division 2*UAE Super Cup*UAE Vice Presidents Cup...

12 3 1 0
|align=left|  Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Football Federation
The Saudi Arabia Football Federation is the football governing body of Saudi Arabia. Founded in 1956, its responsibilities include administration of club competitions and national teams....

14 3 1 0
|align=left|  Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan Football Federation
The Uzbekistan Football Federation is the governing body of football in Uzbekistan, controlling the Uzbek national team. It was founded in 1946, while Uzbekistan was still under Soviet rule, and has been a member of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation since 1994.The federation organizes the...

14 3 1 0
|align=left|  Iran
Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation
The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran ' is the governing body for football in Iran. It was founded in 1920, and has been a member of FIFA since 1945. It is also a member of the Asian Football Confederation...

18 2 2 0
|align=left|  Syria 14 0 1 2
|align=left|  India
All India Football Federation
The All India Football Federation is the organisation which manages the game of association football in India. It administers the running of the India national football team and also controls the I-League, India's premier domestic club competition, in addition to various other competitions and...

14 0 1 1
|align=left|  Kuwait
Kuwait Football Association
The Kuwait Football Association is the governing body of football in Kuwait.Kuwait have twice been suspended by FIFA for political interference since 2007 and are only being allowed to participate in the 2011 Asian Cup qualifying campaign and other international competitions on a provisional...

8 0 0 3
|align=left|  Iraq
Iraq Football Association
The Iraqi Football Association is the governing body of football in Iraq, controlling the Iraqi national team and the Iraq Super League. It was founded in 1948, and has been a member of FIFA since 1950 and the Asian Football Confederation since 1971....

36 0 0 3
|align=left|  Jordan
Jordan Football Association
The Jordan Football Association is the governing body of football in Jordan.-Affiliation:* FIFA* AFC* Union Arab de Football Federation* WAFF-External links:* * * at AFC site...

12 0 0 2
|align=left|  Oman
Oman Football Association
The Oman Football Association is the governing body of football in Oman. It was founded in 1978, has been a member of the Asian Football Confederation since 1979 and of FIFA since 1980. Oman Football Association is a relatively young member of the football fraternity...

12 0 0 2
|align=left|  Yemen
Yemen Football Association
The Yemen Football Association is the governing body of football in Yemen. It was founded in 1962, has been a member of the Asian Football Confederation since 1962 and of FIFA since 1980....

14 0 0 2
|align=left|  Lebanon 12 0 0 2
|align=left|  Bahrain
Bahrain Football Association
The Bahrain Football Association is the governing body of football in Bahrain, and controls the Bahrain national football team. It was founded in 1957, and has been a member of FIFA since 1966. It is a member of the Asian Football Confederation....

10 0 0 1
|align=left|  Tajikistan 10 0 0 0
|align=left|  Pakistan
Pakistan Football Federation
The Pakistan Football Federation is the governing body of football in Pakistan. The PFF’s headquarters is at FIFA Football House in Lahore, Punjab near the Punjab Stadium.-Overview:...

16 0 0 0
|align=left|  Palestine
Palestinian Football Federation
The Palestinian Football Association is the governing body for football in the Palestinian Authority, and for the Palestine national football team. It was also the original name for what is now the Israel Football Association....

22 0 0 0
Meet the criteria
Do not meet the criteria


East Asia
Pos Member
Association
Clubs Spots
Group stage Play-off AFC Cup
AFC Cup
The AFC Cup is an annual international association football competition between domestic clubs sides run by the Asian Football Confederation . Qualification to the competition is to clubs from AFC-affiliated countries which fall into the AFC's 'developing nations' category as laid out in their...

|align=left|  Japan
Japan Football Association
The Japan Football Association, sometimes known as the Japan Soccer Association , is the governing body responsible for the administration of association football in Japan. It is responsible for the national team as well as club competitions....

18 4 0 0
|align=left|  Korea Republic
Korea Football Association
The Korea Football Association is the governing body of football in Korea. The first governing body of Korean football was the Joseon Football Association , founded on 19 September 1933....

16* 3 1 0
|align=left|  China PR 16 3 1 0
|align=left|  Australia
Football Federation Australia
Football Federation Australia is the governing body for the sport of football in Australia. Before 1 January 2005, it was known as the Australian Soccer Association , which succeeded Soccer Australia in this role in 2003...

9+1** 2 1 |0
|align=left|  Thailand
Football Association of Thailand
The Football Association of Thailand or the full name is the Football Association of Thailand under Patronage of His Majesty the King is the governing body of football in Thailand. It was founded in 25 April 1916 and then joined FIFA in 23 June 1925 and AFC in 1957.Recently the FAT has been...

18 1 1 0
|align=left|  Indonesia
Football Association of Indonesia
The Football Association of Indonesia or PSSI is the governing body of football in Indonesia. It was founded on April 19, 1930, 15 years before Indonesian independence...

18 0 1 1
|align=left|  Vietnam
Vietnam Football Federation
The Vietnam Football Federation is the governing body of football in Vietnam. It is responsible for the Vietnam men's, women's, olympic, and other youth teams as well as national competitions....

14 0 0 2
|align=left|  Hong Kong
Hong Kong Football Association
The Hong Kong Football Association , often abbreviated to the HKFA, is the governing body of association football in Hong Kong. Its current chairman is Brian Leung Hung-Tak and its general secretary is Vincent Yuen Mun-Chuen.- History :...

10 0 0 2
|align=left|  Maldives
Football Association of Maldives
Football Association of Maldives was founded in 1982 as the governing body of football in the Republic of Maldives. The football association under the guidance of Ministry of Youth development and Sports is responsible for all regulatory aspects of the Game of Football in the Maldives...

8 0 0 2
|align=left|  Malaysia
Football Association of Malaysia
The Football Association of Malaysia is the governing body for football in Malaysia, responsible for organising the Malaysian national football team and the major football and futsal tournaments within the country. The Football Association of Malaysia main headquarters is located at Wisma...

14 0 0 2
|align=left|  Singapore
Football Association of Singapore
The Football Association of Singapore is the governing body of football in Singapore. It was founded in 1952. Prior to that, the Singapore Amateur Football Association, founded in 1892, was the governing body for football in Singapore...

12*** 0 0 1
|align=left|  Myanmar
Myanmar Football Federation
The Myanmar Football Federation is the governing body of football in Myanmar. The MFF oversees the Burmese men's national team, the women's national team, and youth national teams as well as national football championships and professional club competitions.-History:Reportedly introduced during...

8 0 0 0


* One of the K-League
K-League
The Korea Professional Football League is South Korea's only fully professional association football league. At the top of the South Korean football league system, it is the country's highest and most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs.-Establishment:The...

 clubs, Sangju Sangmu, is unable to qualify for the ACL because the team is not a commercial entity and their players are not professionally contracted.


** One of the A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...

 clubs, Wellington Phoenix
Wellington Phoenix FC
Wellington Phoenix Football Club is a professional association football club based in Wellington, New Zealand. The club competes in the Football Federation of Australia A-League. Ricki Herbert has been the coach since the club's inception to the A-League in July 2007. The current club captain is...

, is based in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

, an OFC
Oceania Football Confederation
The Oceania Football Confederation is one of the six continental confederations of international association football, consisting of Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and island nations such as Tonga, Fiji and other Pacific Island countries...

 member country. They are unable to qualify for the ACL.


*** Two of the S.League
S.League
The S.League is the top men's professional association football league in Singapore. The league was launched in 1996 and currently involves 12 clubs.-History:...

 clubs, Etoile FC
Etoile FC
Etoile Football Club is a professional football club which was formed to play in Singapore's S.League in 2010.Etoile FC is the first team of players all born in Europe to ply their trade in Singapore's professional league, and the first in Asia...

 and Albirex Niigata (S), are based in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...

, but are foreign clubs. One other clubs from the S. League, the Young Lions
Young Lions (Singapore football team)
The Courts Young Lions are an under-23 football team from Singapore. Most of the members of the squad are players from Singapore's national under-23 team. The team comes under the direct control of the Football Association of Singapore , but is managed as a football club and has competed in...

, consists of players of the Singapore under-23 national team and is under direct control of the FAS
Football Association of Singapore
The Football Association of Singapore is the governing body of football in Singapore. It was founded in 1952. Prior to that, the Singapore Amateur Football Association, founded in 1892, was the governing body for football in Singapore...

. They are unable to qualify for the ACL.


The finalists of the AFC Cup of preceding season will also participate in the play-off, provided that they meet the Champions League criteria.

Tournament Format

Qualifying play-off
8 teams, 2 knock-out rounds, each 1 leg, on a regional basis, 2 winners qualify for the group stage.

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:
  • Points earned between the clubs in question
  • Goal Difference between the clubs in question
  • Goals For between the clubs in question
  • Goal Difference within the group
  • Goals For within the group


The eight group winners and eight runners-up qualify to the Knock-out Round.

Knock-out Round, Round-of-16
Group winners vs group runners-up, 1 leg, on a regional basis.

Knock-out Round, Quarterfinals & Semifinal
All 8 clubs are randomly matched; however, starting 2010 season, 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
Away goals rule
The away goals rule is a method of breaking ties in association football and other sports when teams play each other twice, once at each team's home ground. By the away goals rule, the team that has scored more goals "away from home" will win if scores are otherwise equal...

 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.

Final
One 90-min game at a neutral venue. If tied after regulation, extra-time, penalty kick will be used to produce a winner.

Sponsors

On 5 November 2008 it was announced that Qatar’s leading telecom company Qtel
Qtel
Qtel used to be the exclusive telecommunications provider in Qatar and is one of the largest public companies in Qatar with about 2000 employees. It was successfully launched on the Doha Securities Market in 1998 and listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1999, the Bahrain Stock Exchange in 2001...

 will sponsor the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and the AFC Champions League from 2009-2012.

On 8 January 2009 it was confirmed that Emirates Airline
Emirates Airline
Emirates is the airline based in the Emirate of Dubai part of the United Arab Emirates . Based at Dubai International Airport it is the largest airline in the Middle East, operating over 2,400 flights per week, from its hub at Terminal 3, to 111 cities in 62 countries across six continents...

 signed a four-year extension to its sponsorship deal with AFC.

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.

Prize money

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. Clubs receive a travel subsidy for each away match. Thus, for each round of 16 tie, only one club receives a travel subsidy.

Group stages
  • Win: $40,000
  • Draw: $20,000
  • Loss: $0
  • Travel subsidy: $30,000 x 3


Round of 16
  • Participation: $50,000
  • Travel subsidy: $40,000


Quarter-finals
  • Participation: $80,000
  • Travel subsidy: $50,000


Semi-finals
  • Participation: $120,000
  • Travel subsidy: $60,000


Final
  • Champions: $1.5 million
  • Runners-up: $750,000
  • Travel subsidy: $60,000

Participating Associations

Associations Spots
2002/03
AFC Champions League 2002-03
The 2002–03 AFC Champions League was the 22nd edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament and the 1st edition under the current AFC Champions League title...

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
AFC Champions League 2010
The 2010 AFC Champions League was the 29th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation , and the 8th under the current AFC Champions League title. The Final was held at the Olympic Stadium, Tokyo on November 13, 2010...

2011 2012
2012 AFC Champions League
The 2012 AFC Champions League will be the 31st edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation , and the 10th under the current AFC Champions League title. The winner will participate in 2012 FIFA Club World Cup.-Allocation of entries per...

East Asia
  Australia
Football Federation Australia
Football Federation Australia is the governing body for the sport of football in Australia. Before 1 January 2005, it was known as the Australian Soccer Association , which succeeded Soccer Australia in this role in 2003...

2 2 2 2 2 2
  China PR
Football Association of the People's Republic of China
The Football Association of the People's Republic of China , or commonly known as the Chinese Football Association , is the governing body of football in the People's Republic of China...

2 2 2 2 2 2 4 4 4 3
  Indonesia
Football Association of Indonesia
The Football Association of Indonesia or PSSI is the governing body of football in Indonesia. It was founded on April 19, 1930, 15 years before Indonesian independence...

0 2 2 0 2 0 1 1 1 0
  Japan
Japan Football Association
The Japan Football Association, sometimes known as the Japan Soccer Association , is the governing body responsible for the administration of association football in Japan. It is responsible for the national team as well as club competitions....

2 2 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 4
  Korea Republic
Korea Football Association
The Korea Football Association is the governing body of football in Korea. The first governing body of Korean football was the Joseon Football Association , founded on 19 September 1933....

2 2 2 2 3 2 4 4 4 3
  Singapore
Football Association of Singapore
The Football Association of Singapore is the governing body of football in Singapore. It was founded in 1952. Prior to that, the Singapore Amateur Football Association, founded in 1892, was the governing body for football in Singapore...

0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
  Thailand
Football Association of Thailand
The Football Association of Thailand or the full name is the Football Association of Thailand under Patronage of His Majesty the King is the governing body of football in Thailand. It was founded in 25 April 1916 and then joined FIFA in 23 June 1925 and AFC in 1957.Recently the FAT has been...

2 2 2 0 1 2 0 0 0 1
  Vietnam
Vietnam Football Federation
The Vietnam Football Federation is the governing body of football in Vietnam. It is responsible for the Vietnam men's, women's, olympic, and other youth teams as well as national competitions....

0 2 2 2 1 2 0 0 0 0
Total 8 12 12 8 13 13 16 16 15 ?
West Asia
  Bahrain
Bahrain Football Association
The Bahrain Football Association is the governing body of football in Bahrain, and controls the Bahrain national football team. It was founded in 1957, and has been a member of FIFA since 1966. It is a member of the Asian Football Confederation....

0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  India
All India Football Federation
The All India Football Federation is the organisation which manages the game of association football in India. It administers the running of the India national football team and also controls the I-League, India's premier domestic club competition, in addition to various other competitions and...

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ?
  Iran
Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation
The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran ' is the governing body for football in Iran. It was founded in 1920, and has been a member of FIFA since 1945. It is also a member of the Asian Football Confederation...

2 2 2 2 1 2 4 4 4 2
  Iraq
Iraq Football Association
The Iraqi Football Association is the governing body of football in Iraq, controlling the Iraqi national team and the Iraq Super League. It was founded in 1948, and has been a member of FIFA since 1950 and the Asian Football Confederation since 1971....

1 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0
  Kuwait
Kuwait Football Association
The Kuwait Football Association is the governing body of football in Kuwait.Kuwait have twice been suspended by FIFA for political interference since 2007 and are only being allowed to participate in the 2011 Asian Cup qualifying campaign and other international competitions on a provisional...

0 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0
  Qatar
Qatar Football Association
The Qatar Football Association is the governing body of football in Qatar.-Beginnings:The advent of football at Qatar dates back to the year of 1946, accompanied by the arrival of oil companies...

1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 ?
  Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Football Federation
The Saudi Arabia Football Federation is the football governing body of Saudi Arabia. Founded in 1956, its responsibilities include administration of club competitions and national teams....

1 2 3 3 2 2 4 4 4 3
  Syria
Syrian Arab Federation for Football
The Syrian Arab Federation for Football is the governing body of football in Syria.The make up of the Syrian Football Association Interim Committee has been finalised by FIFA.The following officials have been appointed.Dr Mua'tasem Gotog - Chairman...

0 0 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0
  Turkmenistan 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  UAE
United Arab Emirates Football Association
The United Arab Emirates Football Association is the governing body of football in the United Arab Emirates.-Domestic Competitions:*UAE Premier League*UAE Football League Division 1*UAE Football League Division 2*UAE Super Cup*UAE Vice Presidents Cup...

1 3 2 2 2 2 4 4 4 3
  Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan Football Federation
The Uzbekistan Football Federation is the governing body of football in Uzbekistan, controlling the Uzbek national team. It was founded in 1946, while Uzbekistan was still under Soviet rule, and has been a member of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation since 1994.The federation organizes the...

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

Asian Champion Club Tournament (1967-1972)

Season Winner Score Runner-up Venue
1967 Hapoel Tel Aviv
 
2 – 1 Selangor FA
Selangor FA
The Football Association of Selangor , commonly referred to as FAS or simply Selangor, competes in Malaysian football competitions representing the state of Selangor Darul Ehsan. The team is based in Shah Alam city. They are currently playing in Malaysian Super League, the top-flight of Malaysian...


 
  Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...

1969 Maccabi Tel Aviv
 
1 – 0 Yangzee FC
Yangzee FC
Yangzee FC was a South Korean football club that operated between 1967 and 1970.Set up in February 1967 by the then-head of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, Kim Hyung-wook, the team was charged with improving the level of football in South Korea after North Korea reached the quarter-finals...


 
  Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...

1970 Taj
 
2 – 1 Hapoel Tel Aviv
 
  Amjadieh Stadium, Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...

1971 Maccabi Tel Aviv
 
2 - 01 Al-Shorta Club
Al-Shorta
Al-Shorta is an Iraqi football club based in Baghdad. They are widely regarded as Iraq's best team, as they are only one of two Iraqi teams to ever win any competition outside of Iraq -History:Al Shorta have won 14 trophies...


 
  Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...


1 The final was scratched and Maccabi were awarded the championship after Al-Shorta refused to play in the final for political reasons.

Asian Club Championship (1985-2002)

Season Winner Score Runner-up Venue
1985-86 Daewoo Royals
 
3 – 1 Al-Ahli SC
 
  Jeddah
Jeddah
Jeddah, Jiddah, Jidda, or Jedda is a city located on the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in Makkah Province, the largest sea port on the Red Sea, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city, Riyadh. The...

1986-87 Furukawa Electric
JEF United Ichihara Chiba
is a Japanese professional football club that plays in J. League Division 2. On February 1, 2005, the club changed its name from JEF United Ichihara to the current name after Chiba city had joined Ichihara, Chiba as its hometown in 2003. The club name, JEF -taken from JR East and Furukawa Electric-...


 
1 Al-Hilal FC
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club , also known simply as Al-Hilal, is a Saudi Arabian sports club based in the country's capital of Riyadh and best known for its professional football team, known as Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club...


 
  Riyadh
Riyadh
Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a...

1987-88 Yomiuri FC
 
w/o
Walkover
In British English, a walkover or W.O. is the awarding of a victory to a contestant because there are no other contestants, or because the other contestants have been disqualified or have forfeited. The term can apply in sport, but can also apply to elections...

2
Al-Hilal FC
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club , also known simply as Al-Hilal, is a Saudi Arabian sports club based in the country's capital of Riyadh and best known for its professional football team, known as Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club...


 
Two-leg finals
1988-89 Al-Sadd SC
 
3 – 3
(aggregate, away goals win)
Al-Rasheed SC
 
Two-leg finals
1989-90 Liaoning FC
 
3 – 2
(aggregate)
Nissan FC
Yokohama F. Marinos
is a Japanese association football team that participates in the fully professional J. League Division 1; the top Japanese professional football league. Having won the J-League title three times and finished second twice, they are one of the most successful J-League clubs. The team are based in...


 
Two-leg finals
1990-91 Esteghlal FC
 
2 – 1 Liaoning FC
 
  Bangabandhu National Stadium
Bangabandhu National Stadium
Bangabandhu National Stadium, also known as Dhaka Stadium, and formerly known as Dacca Stadium is the national stadium and a multipurpose sports arena in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is located in the Motijheel area in the heart of the city...

, Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...

1991-92 Al-Hilal FC
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club , also known simply as Al-Hilal, is a Saudi Arabian sports club based in the country's capital of Riyadh and best known for its professional football team, known as Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club...


 
1 – 1
(4-3 PSO)
Esteghlal FC
 
  Doha
Doha
Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf, it had a population of 998,651 in 2008, and is also one of the municipalities of Qatar...

1992-93 PAS Tehran FC
 
1 – 0 Al-Shabab Club
 
 Bahrain
1993-94 Thai Farmers Bank FC
Thai Farmers Bank FC
Thai Farmers Bank Football Club is a defunct Thai football club from Kasikorn Bank . They have won two AFC Champions League in 1994 and 1995....


 
2 – 1 Oman Club
Oman Club
Oman Club is an Omani football club playing at the second level. Oman Club was founded in 1942 and is the first football club established in Oman, and oldest surviving. It is based in Muscat. The team has had a history of bouncing around both the national stadium, Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in...


 
  Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...

1994-95 Thai Farmers Bank FC
Thai Farmers Bank FC
Thai Farmers Bank Football Club is a defunct Thai football club from Kasikorn Bank . They have won two AFC Champions League in 1994 and 1995....


 
1 – 0 Al-Arabi SC
 
  Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...

1995-96 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma is a South Korean professional football club, based in Seongnam, South Korea, that plays in the K-League...


 
1 – 0 Al-Nassr FC
Al Nassr FC
Al Nassr FC is a Saudi Arabian football club based in Riyadh. Formed in 1955 the club plays its home games at King Fahd Stadium and Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium. Its home colours are yellow and blue.-History:...


 
  King Fahd Stadium, Riyadh
Riyadh
Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a...

1996-97 Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. They were originally called POSCO, after the Pohang Iron and Steel Company that owned it...


 
2 – 1 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma is a South Korean professional football club, based in Seongnam, South Korea, that plays in the K-League...


 
  Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...

1997-98 Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. They were originally called POSCO, after the Pohang Iron and Steel Company that owned it...


 
0 – 0
(6-5 PSO)
Dalian Wanda
Dalian Shide F.C.
Dalian Shide , also known as Dalian Haichang International Football Team Shide FC or previously as Dalian Wanda , is a Chinese Super League football club owned by Shide Group...


 
  Hong Kong Stadium
Hong Kong Stadium
Hong Kong Stadium is the main sports venue of Hong Kong. Redeveloped from the old Government Stadium it reincarnated as Hong Kong Stadium in 1994...

, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...

1998-99 Júbilo Iwata
Júbilo Iwata
is a professional Japanese association football team currently playing in the J. League Division 1 . The team name Júbilo means 'joy' in Portuguese and Spanish. The team's home town is Iwata, Shizuoka prefecture and they play at Yamaha Stadium...


 
2 – 1 Esteghlal FC
 
  Azadi Stadium
Azadi Stadium
The Azadi Stadium formerly Aryamehr Stadium is Iran's national stadium and the largest in the country. The Azadi stadium officially has a capacity of 100,000 people and was built to host the 1974 Asian Games...

, Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...

1999-00 Al-Hilal FC
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club , also known simply as Al-Hilal, is a Saudi Arabian sports club based in the country's capital of Riyadh and best known for its professional football team, known as Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club...


 
3 – 2 Júbilo Iwata
Júbilo Iwata
is a professional Japanese association football team currently playing in the J. League Division 1 . The team name Júbilo means 'joy' in Portuguese and Spanish. The team's home town is Iwata, Shizuoka prefecture and they play at Yamaha Stadium...


 
  King Fahd Stadium, Riyadh
Riyadh
Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a...

2000-01 Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Suwon Samsung Bluewings is a South Korean football club based in the city of Suwon, South Korea, that plays in the K-League. Founded in December 1995, they have become one of Asian football's most famous clubs with a host of domestic and continental honours...


 
1 – 0 Júbilo Iwata
Júbilo Iwata
is a professional Japanese association football team currently playing in the J. League Division 1 . The team name Júbilo means 'joy' in Portuguese and Spanish. The team's home town is Iwata, Shizuoka prefecture and they play at Yamaha Stadium...


 
  Suwon World Cup Stadium
Suwon World Cup Stadium
The Suwon World Cup Stadium, which seats 43,288, in the Korean city of Suwon, has been home to K-League football side Suwon Samsung Bluewings since 2001.- International Matches :The stadium is famous for hosting several international matches...

, Suwon
Suwon
Suwon is the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A major city of over a million inhabitants, Suwon lies approximately south of Seoul. It is traditionally known as "The City of Filial Piety"....

2001-02 Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Suwon Samsung Bluewings is a South Korean football club based in the city of Suwon, South Korea, that plays in the K-League. Founded in December 1995, they have become one of Asian football's most famous clubs with a host of domestic and continental honours...


 
0 – 0
(4-2 PSO)
Anyang LG Cheetahs
FC Seoul
FC Seoul is a South Korean professional football club based in Seoul, South Korea, that plays in the K-League. It is currently owned by GS Sports, a subsidiary of GS Group....


 
  Azadi Stadium
Azadi Stadium
The Azadi Stadium formerly Aryamehr Stadium is Iran's national stadium and the largest in the country. The Azadi stadium officially has a capacity of 100,000 people and was built to host the 1974 Asian Games...

, Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...


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.

AFC Champions League (2002/03-present)

Two-leg finals (2002/03–2008)
Year Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance
2002/03   Al-Ain FC
Al Ain FC
Al-Ain Sports and Cultural Club is a professional association football and mult-sports club based in the city of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. The football section of Al Ain won the 2003 AFC Champions League competition with a 2-1 aggregate victory over BEC Tero Sasana of Thailand.Al Ain...

2–0   BEC Tero Sasana Tahnoun Bin Mohamed Stadium
Tahnoun Bin Mohamed Stadium
Tahnoun Bin Mohamed Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is one of the home grounds of Al Ain Club. The stadium holds approximately 15,000 people and was built in 1987.This stadium played host to two AFC...

  BEC Tero Sasana 1–0   Al-Ain FC
Al Ain FC
Al-Ain Sports and Cultural Club is a professional association football and mult-sports club based in the city of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. The football section of Al Ain won the 2003 AFC Champions League competition with a 2-1 aggregate victory over BEC Tero Sasana of Thailand.Al Ain...

Rajamangala Stadium
Rajamangala Stadium
Rajamangala National Stadium , also known as Hua Mark Indoor Stadium, is the national stadium of Thailand and the home stadium for the Thailand national football team. Located in Khwaeng Hua Mak, Khet Bang kapi, Bangkok, it officially opened in 1998....

Al-Ain FC
Al Ain FC
Al-Ain Sports and Cultural Club is a professional association football and mult-sports club based in the city of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. The football section of Al Ain won the 2003 AFC Champions League competition with a 2-1 aggregate victory over BEC Tero Sasana of Thailand.Al Ain...

won 2 – 1 on aggregate
2004   Al-Ittihad FC 1–3   Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma is a South Korean professional football club, based in Seongnam, South Korea, that plays in the K-League...

Prince Abdullah al-Faisal stadium
Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium
Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium is a stadium in the port city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.The stadium is located in the south east of Jeddah, between King Abdulaziz University and the industrial city...

  Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma is a South Korean professional football club, based in Seongnam, South Korea, that plays in the K-League...

0–5   Al-Ittihad FC Tancheon Sports Complex
Tancheon Sports Complex
Seongnam Tancheon Sports Complex is a multi-purpose stadium in Seongnam, South Korea. Its name was Seongnam 2 Sports Complex but changed to Tancheon Sports Complex in 2006, naming after the stream, named Tancheon, beside the stadium...

Al-Ittihad FC won 6 – 3 on aggregate
2005   Al-Ain FC
Al Ain FC
Al-Ain Sports and Cultural Club is a professional association football and mult-sports club based in the city of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. The football section of Al Ain won the 2003 AFC Champions League competition with a 2-1 aggregate victory over BEC Tero Sasana of Thailand.Al Ain...

1–1   Al-Ittihad FC Tahnoun Bin Mohamed Stadium
Tahnoun Bin Mohamed Stadium
Tahnoun Bin Mohamed Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is one of the home grounds of Al Ain Club. The stadium holds approximately 15,000 people and was built in 1987.This stadium played host to two AFC...

  Al-Ittihad FC 4–2   Al-Ain FC
Al Ain FC
Al-Ain Sports and Cultural Club is a professional association football and mult-sports club based in the city of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. The football section of Al Ain won the 2003 AFC Champions League competition with a 2-1 aggregate victory over BEC Tero Sasana of Thailand.Al Ain...

Prince Abdullah al-Faisal stadium
Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium
Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium is a stadium in the port city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.The stadium is located in the south east of Jeddah, between King Abdulaziz University and the industrial city...

Al-Ittihad FC won 5 – 3 on aggregate
2006   Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are a professional football club based in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, South Korea. They won their first K-League title in 2009. Prior to this, the club won the AFC Champions League title in 2006, becoming the first club from East Asia to win the tournament since the AFC Champions...

2–0   Al-Karamah SC Jeonju World Cup Stadium
Jeonju World Cup Stadium
Jeonju World Cup Stadium, nicknamed "Fort Jeonju", is a football stadium in the South Korean city of Jeonju. It is the home of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. The stadium's capacity is 43,348. The final of 2011 AFC Champions League was held at this stadium....

25,830
  Al-Karamah SC 2–1   Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are a professional football club based in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, South Korea. They won their first K-League title in 2009. Prior to this, the club won the AFC Champions League title in 2006, becoming the first club from East Asia to win the tournament since the AFC Champions...

Khaled bin Walid Stadium 40,000
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are a professional football club based in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, South Korea. They won their first K-League title in 2009. Prior to this, the club won the AFC Champions League title in 2006, becoming the first club from East Asia to win the tournament since the AFC Champions...

won 3 – 2
2006 AFC Champions League Final
The 2006 AFC Champions League Final was a two-legged football tie to determine the 2006 champions of Asian club football. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors defeated Al-Karamah 3-2 on aggregate to take the title...

on aggregate
2007   Sepahan FC 1–1   Urawa Red Diamonds
Urawa Red Diamonds
are a professional association football club playing in Japan's football league, J. League Division 1. One of Japan and Asia's best supported teams, the club has been able to boast the highest average crowds for thirteen of the J-League's twenty season history...

Foolad Shahr Stadium 30,000
  Urawa Red Diamonds
Urawa Red Diamonds
are a professional association football club playing in Japan's football league, J. League Division 1. One of Japan and Asia's best supported teams, the club has been able to boast the highest average crowds for thirteen of the J-League's twenty season history...

2–0   Sepahan FC Saitama Stadium 2002
Saitama Stadium 2002
, often called or simply , is a football stadium located in Midori-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan.Currently J. League football clubs Urawa Red Diamonds and Omiya Ardija use this stadium for home games...

59,034
Urawa Red Diamonds
Urawa Red Diamonds
are a professional association football club playing in Japan's football league, J. League Division 1. One of Japan and Asia's best supported teams, the club has been able to boast the highest average crowds for thirteen of the J-League's twenty season history...

won 3 – 1
2007 AFC Champions League Final
The 2007 AFC Champions League Final was a two-legged football tie to determine the 2007 champions of Asian club football. Urawa Red Diamonds defeated Sepahan 3-1 on aggregate to take the title...

on aggregate
2008   Gamba Osaka
Gamba Osaka
is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70...

3–0   Adelaide United
Adelaide United FC
Adelaide United Football Club is a professional football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. It currently participates in the A-League as the sole team from the state of South Australia. Adelaide is one of the most successful clubs in the A-League. The club's home ground is...

Osaka Expo '70 Stadium
Osaka Expo '70 Stadium
is an athletic stadium in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. It is in the Expo Commemoration Park, the site of Expo '70. The stadium is the home ground of J. League club Gamba Osaka.The stadium's north end is terraced and is used by Gamba's most vocal supporters....

20,639
  Adelaide United
Adelaide United FC
Adelaide United Football Club is a professional football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. It currently participates in the A-League as the sole team from the state of South Australia. Adelaide is one of the most successful clubs in the A-League. The club's home ground is...

0–2   Gamba Osaka
Gamba Osaka
is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70...

Hindmarsh Stadium
Hindmarsh Stadium
Hindmarsh Stadium is a rectangular stadium located in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the home of the Australian A-League team, Adelaide United....

17,000
Gamba Osaka
Gamba Osaka
is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70...

won 5 – 0
2008 AFC Champions League Final
The 2008 AFC Champions League Final was a two-legged football tie to determine the 2008 champions of Asian club football. Gamba Osaka defeated Adelaide United 5-0 on aggregate to take the title...

on aggregate


One leg finals (2009–present)
Season Winner Score Runner-up Venue Attendance
2009   Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. They were originally called POSCO, after the Pohang Iron and Steel Company that owned it...

2 – 1
2009 AFC Champions League Final
The 2009 AFC Champions League Final was a football match which was played on Saturday, 7 November 2009. It was the 28th final of the AFC Champions League, Asia's premier club football tournament, and the first single match final since 2002 when the competition was known as the Asian Club Championship...

  Al-Ittihad FC   National Stadium
Olympic Stadium (Tokyo)
or National Stadium is a stadium in Kasumigaoka, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan that served as the main stadium for the 1964 Summer Olympics. It currently serves as the stadium where the Japan national football teams home matches and major football club cup finals are held.-History:The stadium was...

, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...

25,743
2010   Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma is a South Korean professional football club, based in Seongnam, South Korea, that plays in the K-League...

3 – 1
2010 AFC Champions League Final
The 2010 AFC Champions League Final was an football match which was played on Saturday, 13 November 2010. It was the 29th final of the AFC Champions League. The match was played at the National Stadium in Tokyo and was contested by Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma of South Korea and Zob Ahan from Iran...

  Zob Ahan FC   National Stadium
Olympic Stadium (Tokyo)
or National Stadium is a stadium in Kasumigaoka, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan that served as the main stadium for the 1964 Summer Olympics. It currently serves as the stadium where the Japan national football teams home matches and major football club cup finals are held.-History:The stadium was...

, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...

27,308
2011
2011 AFC Champions League
The 2011 AFC Champions League was the 30th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation , and the 9th under the current AFC Champions League title...

  Al-Sadd SC 2 – 2
2011 AFC Champions League Final
The 2011 AFC Champions League Final was a football match which was played on Saturday, 5 November 2011. It was the 30th final of the AFC Champions League....


(4-2 PSO)
  Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are a professional football club based in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, South Korea. They won their first K-League title in 2009. Prior to this, the club won the AFC Champions League title in 2006, becoming the first club from East Asia to win the tournament since the AFC Champions...

  Jeonju World Cup Stadium
Jeonju World Cup Stadium
Jeonju World Cup Stadium, nicknamed "Fort Jeonju", is a football stadium in the South Korean city of Jeonju. It is the home of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. The stadium's capacity is 43,348. The final of 2011 AFC Champions League was held at this stadium....

, Jeonju
Jeonju
Jeonju is a city in South Korea, and the capital of Jeollabuk-do, or North Jeolla Province. It is an important tourist center famous for Korean food, historic buildings, sports activities and innovative festivals.- History :...

41,805

Asian Club Championship (included qualifying round)

Italics are withdrawn associations.
Year New Entry Team(s)
1967  Hong Kong, , , ,  South Vietnam,
1969 ,  Iran, ,
1970 ,
1971  Iraq,
1986  Afghanistan, , , , , ,  Macau, ,  Myanmar, , ,  Yemen Arab Republic, , , , , ,  South Yemen, , , ,
1987  South Yemen
1988 None
1989  Yemen Arab Republic
1990
1991 None
1992 None
1993
1994 None
1995 , , , ,
1996
1997 None
1998 None
1999
2000
2001 None
2002 None

AFC Champions League

Year New Entry Team(s)
2003 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
2004
2005 None
2006 None
2007
2008 None
2009
2010 None
2011 None

AFC Champions League records and statistics

By Nation

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
|9 |5
|5 |3
|4 |6
|3 |4
|3 |1
|2 |1
|2 |1
|1 |2
|1 |1
|0 |2
|0 |1
|0 |1
|0 |1
|0 |1

By Club

The following table lists Clubs by number of winners and runner-up in AFC Champions League (Asian Club Championship also included).
Team Winners Runners-Up Years Won Years Lost
  Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. They were originally called POSCO, after the Pohang Iron and Steel Company that owned it...

3 0 1996-97, 1997-98, 2009
  Esteghlal FC 2 2 1970, 1990-91 1991-92, 1998-99
  Al-Hilal FC 2 2 1991-92, 1999-2000 1986-87, 1987-88
  Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma is a South Korean professional football club, based in Seongnam, South Korea, that plays in the K-League...

2 2 1995-96, 2010 1996-97, 2004
  Al-Ittihad FC 2 1 2004, 2005 2009
  Al-Sadd SC 2 0 1988-89, 2011
2011 AFC Champions League
The 2011 AFC Champions League was the 30th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation , and the 9th under the current AFC Champions League title...

  Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Suwon Samsung Bluewings is a South Korean football club based in the city of Suwon, South Korea, that plays in the K-League. Founded in December 1995, they have become one of Asian football's most famous clubs with a host of domestic and continental honours...

2 0 2000-01, 2001-02
  Thai Farmers Bank FC
Thai Farmers Bank FC
Thai Farmers Bank Football Club is a defunct Thai football club from Kasikorn Bank . They have won two AFC Champions League in 1994 and 1995....

2 0 1993-94, 1994-95
  Maccabi Tel Aviv 2 0 1969, 1971
  Jubilo Iwata
Júbilo Iwata
is a professional Japanese association football team currently playing in the J. League Division 1 . The team name Júbilo means 'joy' in Portuguese and Spanish. The team's home town is Iwata, Shizuoka prefecture and they play at Yamaha Stadium...

1 2 1998-99 1999-2000, 2000-2001
  Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are a professional football club based in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, South Korea. They won their first K-League title in 2009. Prior to this, the club won the AFC Champions League title in 2006, becoming the first club from East Asia to win the tournament since the AFC Champions...

1 1 2006 2011
2011 AFC Champions League
The 2011 AFC Champions League was the 30th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation , and the 9th under the current AFC Champions League title...

  Al-Ain FC
Al Ain FC
Al-Ain Sports and Cultural Club is a professional association football and mult-sports club based in the city of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. The football section of Al Ain won the 2003 AFC Champions League competition with a 2-1 aggregate victory over BEC Tero Sasana of Thailand.Al Ain...

1 1 2002-03
AFC Champions League 2002-03
The 2002–03 AFC Champions League was the 22nd edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament and the 1st edition under the current AFC Champions League title...

2005
  Liaoning FC 1 1 1989-90 1990-91
  Hapoel Tel Aviv 1 1 1967 1970
  Gamba Osaka
Gamba Osaka
is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70...

1 0 2008
  Urawa Red Diamonds
Urawa Red Diamonds
are a professional association football club playing in Japan's football league, J. League Division 1. One of Japan and Asia's best supported teams, the club has been able to boast the highest average crowds for thirteen of the J-League's twenty season history...

1 0 2007
  PAS Tehran FC 1 0 1992-93
  Tokyo Verdy 1 0 1987-88
  JEF United Chiba
JEF United Ichihara Chiba
is a Japanese professional football club that plays in J. League Division 2. On February 1, 2005, the club changed its name from JEF United Ichihara to the current name after Chiba city had joined Ichihara, Chiba as its hometown in 2003. The club name, JEF -taken from JR East and Furukawa Electric-...

1 0 1986-87
  Busan I'Park 1 0 1985-86
  Zob Ahan Isfahan FC 0 1
2010
  Adelaide United
Adelaide United FC
Adelaide United Football Club is a professional football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. It currently participates in the A-League as the sole team from the state of South Australia. Adelaide is one of the most successful clubs in the A-League. The club's home ground is...

0 1
2008
  Sepahan FC 0 1
2007
  Al-Karamah SC 0 1
2006
  BEC Tero Sasana 0 1
2002-03
AFC Champions League 2002-03
The 2002–03 AFC Champions League was the 22nd edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament and the 1st edition under the current AFC Champions League title...

  FC Seoul
FC Seoul
FC Seoul is a South Korean professional football club based in Seoul, South Korea, that plays in the K-League. It is currently owned by GS Sports, a subsidiary of GS Group....

0 1
2001-02
  Dalian Wanda
Dalian Shide F.C.
Dalian Shide , also known as Dalian Haichang International Football Team Shide FC or previously as Dalian Wanda , is a Chinese Super League football club owned by Shide Group...

0 1
1997-98
  Al-Nassr FC
Al Nassr FC
Al Nassr FC is a Saudi Arabian football club based in Riyadh. Formed in 1955 the club plays its home games at King Fahd Stadium and Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium. Its home colours are yellow and blue.-History:...

0 1
1995-96
  Al-Arabi SC 0 1
1994-95
  Oman Club
Oman Club
Oman Club is an Omani football club playing at the second level. Oman Club was founded in 1942 and is the first football club established in Oman, and oldest surviving. It is based in Muscat. The team has had a history of bouncing around both the national stadium, Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in...

0 1
1993-94
  Al-Shabab Club 0 1
1992-93
  Yokohama F. Marinos
Yokohama F. Marinos
is a Japanese association football team that participates in the fully professional J. League Division 1; the top Japanese professional football league. Having won the J-League title three times and finished second twice, they are one of the most successful J-League clubs. The team are based in...

0 1
1989-90
  Al-Rasheed SC 0 1
1988-89
  Al-Ahli SC 0 1
1985-86
  Al-Shorta Club
Al-Shorta
Al-Shorta is an Iraqi football club based in Baghdad. They are widely regarded as Iraq's best team, as they are only one of two Iraqi teams to ever win any competition outside of Iraq -History:Al Shorta have won 14 trophies...

0 1
1972
Asian Club Championship 1971
The Asian Club Championship 1971 was the fourth edition of the annual Asian club football competition hosted by Asian Football Confederation. Eight clubs from eight countries competed in the tournament. The tournament was held in Bangkok, Thailand from March 21 to April 2...

  Yangzee FC
Yangzee FC
Yangzee FC was a South Korean football club that operated between 1967 and 1970.Set up in February 1967 by the then-head of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, Kim Hyung-wook, the team was charged with improving the level of football in South Korea after North Korea reached the quarter-finals...

0 1
1969
  Selangor FA
Selangor FA
The Football Association of Selangor , commonly referred to as FAS or simply Selangor, competes in Malaysian football competitions representing the state of Selangor Darul Ehsan. The team is based in Shah Alam city. They are currently playing in Malaysian Super League, the top-flight of Malaysian...

0 1
1967

By Club Statistics

  • Australian clubs in the AFC Champions League
    Australian clubs in the AFC Champions League
    -Results:*q = Qualified, G = Group stage, Ro16 = Round of 16, Q = Quarter-finals, S = Semi-finals, R/U = Runners-up, C = Champions, - = Did not qualify-Statistics:- Statistics by season :-Statistics by club:...

  • Chinese clubs in the AFC Champions League
    Chinese clubs in the AFC Champions League
    Records of the Chinese clubs in the AFC Champions League.-Results:*G = Group stage, RS = Round of 16, Q = Quarter-finals, S = Semi-finals, R = Runners-up, C = Champions-Statistics:- Statistics by season :...

  • Iraqi clubs in the AFC Champions League
  • Japanese clubs in the AFC Champions League
    Japanese clubs in the AFC Champions League
    The Japan J. League clubs in the AFC Champions League. This details the participation and performances in the competition since its rebranding and reformatting in 2002 and excludes the details of the old AFC Club Championship...

  • South Korean Clubs in the AFC Champions League
    South Korean Clubs in the AFC Champions League
    -Participations:* q : qualified, G : Group Round, 16 : Round of 16, Q : Quarterfinalist, S : Semifinalist, R : Runner-up, W : Winner- Busan I'Park :- Chunnam Dragons :- Daejeon Citizen :- Jeju United :...

  • Thai clubs in the AFC Champions League
    Thai clubs in the AFC Champions League
    -Participations :QS : Qualifying Stage, G : Group Round, Q : Quarterfinals, S : Semifinal, R : Runner-up, W : Winner- Bangkok University :- Results :- BEC Tero Sasana :...


Top scorers

YearFootballerClubGoals
2002-03
AFC Champions League 2002-03
The 2002–03 AFC Champions League was the 22nd edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament and the 1st edition under the current AFC Champions League title...

  Hao Haidong
Hao Haidong
Hao Haidong is the current chairman of Tianjin Songjiang F.C. and a former Chinese international football player who was widely regarded as the best striker China has ever produced. Hao holds the record for being China's all-time leader in goals scored...

  Dalian Shide 9
2004   Kim Do-Hoon   Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma is a South Korean professional football club, based in Seongnam, South Korea, that plays in the K-League...

9
2005   Mohamed Kallon
Mohamed Kallon
Mohamed Kallon is a Sierra Leonean international footballer and considered the most famous footballer from Sierra Leone. He is currently playing for I-League club Viva Kerala FC-Personal life:...

  Al-Ittihad 6
2006   Magno Alves
Magno Alves
Magno Alves de Araújo is a Brazilian football player, currently associated with Atlético Mineiro.- Career :...

  Gamba Osaka
Gamba Osaka
is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70...

9
2007   Mota
João Soares da Mota Neto
João Soares da Mota Neto , also known as Mota, is a Brazilian football striker, who plays for Pohang Steelers since 2010.-Career:...

  Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma is a South Korean professional football club, based in Seongnam, South Korea, that plays in the K-League...

7
2008   Nantawat Thansopa
Nantawat Thansopa
Nantawat Tansopa , born February 22, 1984) is a Thai footballer. He currently plays for Thailand Premier League side Police United F.C.. He was also the leading scorer of the 2008 AFC Champions League with 9 goals....

  Krung Thai Bank
Krung Thai Bank FC
Krung Thai Bank Football Club was a Thailand professional football club based in central Bangkok, active from 1997 to 2009. They played in the top division in Thai football, the Thai Premier League...

9
2009   Leandro   Gamba Osaka
Gamba Osaka
is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70...

10
2010   Jose Mota
José Roberto Rodrigues Mota
José Roberto Rodrigues Mota is a Brazilian professional football player, who plays as a striker for Molde FK in the Norwegian professional league Tippeligaen...

  Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Suwon Samsung Bluewings is a South Korean football club based in the city of Suwon, South Korea, that plays in the K-League. Founded in December 1995, they have become one of Asian football's most famous clubs with a host of domestic and continental honours...

9
2011
2011 AFC Champions League
The 2011 AFC Champions League was the 30th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation , and the 9th under the current AFC Champions League title...

  Lee Dong-Gook
Lee Dong-Gook
Lee Dong-Gook is a South Korean football striker, who plays for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in K-League.-Early career:Lee started playing football for Pohang Steelers, where due to his outstanding performance in his first season, he managed to make his debut for the South Korean national team making...

  Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are a professional football club based in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, South Korea. They won their first K-League title in 2009. Prior to this, the club won the AFC Champions League title in 2006, becoming the first club from East Asia to win the tournament since the AFC Champions...

9

Fair Play Award

YearClub
2008   Gamba Osaka
Gamba Osaka
is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70...

2009   Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. They were originally called POSCO, after the Pohang Iron and Steel Company that owned it...

2010   Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma is a South Korean professional football club, based in Seongnam, South Korea, that plays in the K-League...

2011
2011 AFC Champions League
The 2011 AFC Champions League was the 30th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation , and the 9th under the current AFC Champions League title...

  Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are a professional football club based in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, South Korea. They won their first K-League title in 2009. Prior to this, the club won the AFC Champions League title in 2006, becoming the first club from East Asia to win the tournament since the AFC Champions...


See also


External links

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