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| Fans can look forward to a bigger and better ACL next year. |
the-afc.com runs the rule over the format and salient points of the AFC Champions League (ACL) and AFC Cup.
ACL
- The revamped new version of the ACL in 2009 will introduce 30 clubs from 10 countries with direct entry into the group stage, as well as two clubs who qualify through the playoffs. The group stage draw takes place on January 7 next year in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
- The playoffs (preliminary stage) are a new layer introduced to the competition whereby eight teams from eight countries will compete for two spots in the main competition. The remaining six teams move back to the AFC Cup.
- At the preliminary stage, teams from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam will play in the East Asian group, while the AFC Cup winners and runners-up will play in the West Asian group alongside two clubs from UAE and India.
- A total of 32 teams (16 from West Asia and 16 from East Asia) will be divided into eight groups, four for each part of the continent, and the total matches for the group stage will be 96.
- The top two teams from each of the eight groups will qualify for the knockout Round of 16, which is being introduced for the first time. All the Round of 16 matches will be hosted by the respective group toppers.
- An open draw will precede the quarter-finals stage, pitting teams from East Asia and West Asia against each other in home-and-away matches. The semi-finals are also home-and-away, while the final (one-leg) will be held in Tokyo, Japan.
- A total of 117 matches will be played from the group stage to the final.
AFC CUP
AFC’s second-tier club competition will also see changes in terms of teams and format.
- For the first time in its history, teams from Iraq and Kuwait will join the AFC Cup fray. Syrian clubs reappear in the competition after winning the inaugural edition (Al Jaish) in 2004.
- The other countries are Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Yemen, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Maldives. Each country has two seats, while Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam will have one team in addition to the club which is playing in the ACL playoff/preliminary stage.
- A total of 32 teams will participate in the tournament (20 from West Asia and India, and 12 from East Asia).
- The teams will be divided into eight groups. Five of these groups will comprise West Asian teams, and three groups will make up the East Asian block.
- Two teams from each group will qualify for the Round of 16, where they will play one single knockout match.
- The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will be played over two legs.