2018 AFC Champions League
Tournament details | |
---|---|
Dates | Qualifying: 16–30 January 2018 Competition proper: 12 February – 10 November 2018 |
Teams | Competition proper: 32 Total: 46 (from 20 associations) |
Final positions | |
Champions | ![]() |
Runners-up | ![]() |
Tournament statistics | |
Matches played | 126 |
Goals scored | 364 (2.89 per match) |
Attendance | 1,876,986 (14,897 per match) |
Top scorer(s) | ![]() |
Best player(s) | ![]() |
Fair play award | ![]() |
The 2018 AFC Champions League was the 37th edition of Asia's premier club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the 16th under the current AFC Champions League title.
Kashima Antlers won the title for the first time, defeating Persepolis in the final, and qualified as the AFC representative at the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.[1]
Urawa Red Diamonds were the title holders, but they were unable to defend their title as they finished seventh in the 2017 J1 League and were eliminated in the fourth round of the 2017 Emperor's Cup, thus did not qualify for the tournament. It marked the second season in a row without title holders after Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors were disqualified in 2017 as a result of their involvement in a match-fixing scandal in 2016.
Association team allocation
[edit]The AFC Competitions Committee proposed a revamp of the AFC club competitions on 25 January 2014,[2] which was ratified by the AFC Executive Committee on 16 April 2014.[3] The 46 AFC member associations (excluding the associate member Northern Mariana Islands) are ranked based on their national team's and clubs' performance over the last four years in AFC competitions, with the allocation of slots for the 2017 and 2018 editions of the AFC club competitions determined by the 2016 AFC rankings (Entry Manual Article 2.2):[4]
- The associations were split into two regions:
- West Region consists of the associations from the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF), the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA), and the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF).
- East Region consists of the associations from the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) and the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF).
- In each region, there are four groups in the group stage, including a total of 12 direct slots, with the 4 remaining slots filled through play-offs.
- The top 12 associations in each region as per the AFC rankings are eligible to enter the AFC Champions League, as long as they fulfill the AFC Champions League criteria.
- The top six associations in each region get at least one direct slot in the group stage, while the remaining associations get only play-off slots (as well as AFC Cup group stage slots):
- The associations ranked 1st and 2nd each get three direct slots and one play-off slot.
- The associations ranked 3rd and 4th each get two direct slots and two play-off slots.
- The associations ranked 5th each get one direct slot and two play-off slots.
- The associations ranked 6th each get one direct slot and one play-off slot.
- The associations ranked 7th to 12th each get one play-off slot.
- The maximum number of slots for each association is one-third of the total number of eligible teams in the top division.
- If any association gives up its direct slots, they are redistributed to the highest eligible association, with each association limited to a maximum of three direct slots.
- If any association gives up its play-off slots, they are annulled and not redistributed to any other association.
For the 2018 AFC Champions League, the associations are allocated slots according to their association ranking published on 30 November 2016,[5] which takes into account their performance in the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup, as well as their national team's FIFA World Rankings, during the period between 2013 and 2016.[4][6]
Participation for 2018 AFC Champions League | |
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Participating | |
Not participating |
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- Notes
- ^ Australia (
AU S): The top division run by the Football Federation Australia, the A-League, only have nine Australia-based teams in the 2016–17 season, so Australia can only get a maximum of three total slots (Entry Manual 5.4).[4] - ^ Iraq (IRQ): Iraq did not implement the AFC Champions League club licensing system.[7]
- ^ Kuwait (KUW): Kuwait could not enter due to FIFA's suspension of the Kuwait Football Association at the entry deadline.[8] (Even if its suspension were lifted, Kuwaiti clubs would not enter since Kuwait did not implement club licensing system.[7])
- ^ Lebanon (LIB): Lebanon did not implement the AFC Champions League club licensing system.[7]
- ^ Saudi Arabia (KSA): Saudi Arabia had only two entries as Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad, the 2016–17 Saudi Professional League 3rd place and 4th place, which would have entered the group stage and qualifying play-offs respectively, failed to obtain an AFC licence, and no other teams below them in the league were eligible to replace them, as all other licensed teams from Saudi Arabia finished in the bottom half of the league and did not meet the sporting criteria (Entry Manual 12.6).[4][7]
- ^ Syria (SYR): Syria did not implement the AFC Champions League club licensing system.[7]
Teams
[edit]The following 46 teams from 20 associations entered the competition.
In the following table, the number of appearances and last appearance count only those since the 2002–03 season (including qualifying rounds), when the competition was rebranded as the AFC Champions League.
- Notes
- ^ Indonesia (IDN): Bhayangkara, the 2017 Liga 1 champions, failed to obtain an AFC licence. As a result, Bali United, the league runners-up, entered the qualifying play-offs.[9]
- ^ Iran (IRN): Naft Tehran, the 2016–17 Hazfi Cup winners, failed to obtain an AFC licence. As a result, Tractor, the 2016–17 Persian Gulf Pro League 3rd place, entered the groups stage instead of the qualifying play-offs, while Zob Ahan, the league 4th place, entered the qualifying play-offs.
- ^ Qatar (QAT): El Jaish, the 2016–17 Qatar Stars League 4th place, were merged into Lekhwiya to form Al-Duhail after the 2016–17 season. As a result, Al-Gharafa, the league 5th place, entered the qualifying play-offs.[10]
- ^ Singapore (SIN): Albirex Niigata Singapore, the 2017 S.League champions, is a satellite team of Japanese club Albirex Niigata and thus ineligible to represent Singapore in AFC club competitions. As a result, Tampines Rovers, the league runners-up, entered the qualifying play-offs.
- ^ United Arab Emirates (UAE): Al-Ahli, the 2016–17 UAE Pro-League 3rd place, merged with Al-Shabab and Dubai to form Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai after the 2016–17 season, and were excluded from the AFC Champions League for failing to be in existence for the necessary three year requirement. As a result, Al-Ain, the league 4th place, entered the qualifying play-offs (initially they failed to obtain an AFC licence but later won their appeal).[11][12]
- ^ Vietnam (VIE): Quảng Nam, the 2017 V.League 1 champions, failed to obtain an AFC licence. As a result, FLC Thanh Hóa, the league runners-up, entered the qualifying play-offs.[13]
![2018 AFC Champions League is located in Asian Football Confederation](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/AFC_location_map.png/1000px-AFC_location_map.png)
![Al-Ain (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png)
![Zob Ahan (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png)
![Qatar](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png)
![Teams from Qatar: Al-Duhail Al-Sadd Al-Rayyan Al-Gharafa (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/TransparentPlaceholder.png/8px-TransparentPlaceholder.png)
![Nasaf (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png)
![Al-Faisaly (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png)
![Aizawl (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png)
![Malkiya (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png)
![Suwon SB (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Green_pog.svg/8px-Green_pog.svg.png)
![Kashiwa R (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Green_pog.svg/8px-Green_pog.svg.png)
![Tianjin Q (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Green_pog.svg/8px-Green_pog.svg.png)
![Brisbane Roar (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Green_pog.svg/8px-Green_pog.svg.png)
![Chiangrai U (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Green_pog.svg/8px-Green_pog.svg.png)
![Muangthong U (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Green_pog.svg/8px-Green_pog.svg.png)
![Thanh Hóa (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Green_pog.svg/8px-Green_pog.svg.png)
![Johor DT (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Green_pog.svg/8px-Green_pog.svg.png)
![Bali U (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Green_pog.svg/8px-Green_pog.svg.png)
![Shan U (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Green_pog.svg/8px-Green_pog.svg.png)
![Ceres–Negros (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Green_pog.svg/8px-Green_pog.svg.png)
![Tampines R (p)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Green_pog.svg/8px-Green_pog.svg.png)
Schedule
[edit]The schedule of the competition was as follows.[14]
Stage | Round | Draw date | First leg | Second leg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Preliminary stage | Preliminary round 1 | No draw | 16 January 2018 | |
Preliminary round 2 | 23 January 2018 | |||
Play-off stage | Play-off round | 30 January 2018 | ||
Group stage | Matchday 1 | 6 December 2017 | 12–14 February 2018 | |
Matchday 2 | 19–21 February 2018 | |||
Matchday 3 | 5–7 March 2018 | |||
Matchday 4 | 12–14 March 2018 | |||
Matchday 5 | 2–4 April 2018 | |||
Matchday 6 | 16–18 April 2018 | |||
Knockout stage | Round of 16 | 7–9 May 2018 | 14–16 May 2018 | |
Quarter-finals | 23 May 2018 | 27–29 August 2018 | 17–19 September 2018 | |
Semi-finals | 2–3 October 2018 | 23–24 October 2018 | ||
Final | 3 November 2018 | 10 November 2018 |
Qualifying play-offs
[edit]In the qualifying play-offs, each tie was played as a single match. Extra time and penalty shoot-out were used to decide the winner if necessary (Regulations Article 9.2). The eight winners of the play-off round advanced to the group stage to join the 24 direct entrants. All losers in each round from associations with only play-off slots entered the AFC Cup group stage.[1]
The bracket of the qualifying play-offs for each region was determined by the AFC based on the association ranking of each team, with the team from the higher-ranked association hosting the match. Teams from the same association could not be placed into the same play-off.[15]
Preliminary round 1
[edit]Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
---|---|---|
Bali United ![]() |
3–1 | ![]() |
Shan United ![]() |
1–1 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p) |
![]() |
Preliminary round 2
[edit]Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
---|---|---|
Eastern ![]() |
2–4 | ![]() |
Muangthong United ![]() |
5–2 | ![]() |
Chiangrai United ![]() |
2–1 (a.e.t.) | ![]() |
Brisbane Roar ![]() |
2–3 | ![]() |
Play-off round
[edit]Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
---|---|---|
Al-Ain ![]() |
2–0 | ![]() |
Zob Ahan ![]() |
3–1 | ![]() |
Al-Gharafa ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Nasaf Qarshi ![]() |
5–1 | ![]() |
Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
---|---|---|
Suwon Samsung Bluewings ![]() |
5–1 | ![]() |
Kashiwa Reysol ![]() |
3–0 | ![]() |
Shanghai SIPG ![]() |
1–0 | ![]() |
Tianjin Quanjian ![]() |
2–0 | ![]() |
Group stage
[edit]The draw for the group stage was held on 6 December 2017, 16:30 MYT (UTC+8), at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[16][15] The 32 teams were drawn into eight groups of four: four groups each in the West Region (Groups A–D) and the East Region (Groups E–H). Teams from the same association could not be drawn into the same group. In the group stage, each group was played on a home-and-away round-robin basis. The winners and runners-up of each group advanced to the round of 16 of the knockout stage.
Tiebreakers |
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The teams were ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss). If tied on points, tiebreakers were applied in the following order (Regulations Article 10.5):[1]
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Group A
[edit]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | AHL | JAZ | GHA | TRA | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 4 | +5 | 14 | Advance to knockout stage | — | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 8[a] | 1–2 | — | 3–2 | 0–0 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 8[a] | 1–1 | 2–3 | — | 3–0 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 10 | −8 | 2 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | — |
Notes:
Group B
[edit]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | DUH | ZOB | LOK | WAH | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 6 | +7 | 18 | Advance to knockout stage | — | 3–1 | 3–2 | 1–0 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 8 | −2 | 7[a] | 0–1 | — | 2–0 | 2–0 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 9 | +4 | 7[a] | 1–2 | 1–1 | — | 5–0 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 15 | −9 | 3 | 2–3 | 3–0 | 1–4 | — |
Notes:
Group C
[edit]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | PER | SAD | NSF | WAS | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 13 | Advance to knockout stage | — | 1–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 5 | +6 | 12 | 3–1 | — | 4–0 | 2–1 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | −4 | 10 | 0–0 | 1–0 | — | 1–0 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 10 | −7 | 0 | 0–1 | 1–2 | 1–2 | — |
Group D
[edit]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | EST | AIN | RAY | HIL | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 12 | Advance to knockout stage | — | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–0 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 6 | +4 | 10 | 2–2 | — | 1–1 | 2–1 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 11 | −4 | 6 | 2–2 | 1–4 | — | 2–1 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 2 | 0–1 | 0–0 | 1–1 | — |
Group E
[edit]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | JEO | TJQ | KSW | KIT | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 9 | +13 | 15 | Advance to knockout stage | — | 6–3 | 3–2 | 3–0 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 11 | +4 | 13 | 4–2 | — | 3–2 | 3–0 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 10 | −4 | 4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | — | 1–0 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 14 | −13 | 3 | 0–6 | 0–1 | 1–0 | — |
Group F
[edit]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | SSI | ULS | MEL | KAW | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 6 | +4 | 11 | Advance to knockout stage | — | 2–2 | 4–1 | 1–1 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 11 | +4 | 9 | 0–1 | — | 6–2 | 2–1 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 16 | −5 | 8 | 2–1 | 3–3 | — | 1–0 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 9 | −3 | 3 | 0–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — |
Group G
[edit]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | GZE | BUR | CER | JEJ | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 6 | +6 | 12 | Advance to knockout stage | — | 1–1 | 3–1 | 5–3 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 9 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | 0–2 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 8 | −2 | 8 | 0–0 | 2–2 | — | 2–1 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 11 | −5 | 3 | 0–2 | 0–1 | 0–1 | — |
Group H
[edit]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | SSB | KAS | SYD | SSH | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 10 | Advance to knockout stage | — | 1–2 | 1–4 | 1–1 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 9 | 0–1 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 8 | −1 | 6 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — | 0–0 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 8 | −2 | 5 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — |
Knockout stage
[edit]In the knockout stage, the 16 teams played a single-elimination tournament, with the teams split into the two regions until the final. Each tie was played on a home-and-away two-legged basis. The away goals rule, extra time (away goals do not apply in extra time) and penalty shoot-out were used to decide the winner if necessary (Regulations Article 11.3).[1]
Bracket
[edit]The bracket was decided after the draw for the quarter-finals, which was held on 23 May 2018, 16:00 MYT (UTC+8), at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[17][18][19]
Round of 16 | Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 3 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 2 | 3 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 3 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
East Region | |||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 2 | 3 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 0 | 3 | 3 (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 3 | 0 | 3 (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 0 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 0 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 3 | 2 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
West Region | |||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 4 | 4 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 0 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 3 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Round of 16
[edit]In the round of 16, the winners of one group played the runners-up of another group from the same region, with the group winners hosting the second leg, and the matchups determined by the group stage draw.
Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Al-Jazira ![]() |
4–4 (a) | ![]() |
3–2 | 1–2 |
Al-Sadd ![]() |
4–3 | ![]() |
2–1 | 2–2 |
Zob Ahan ![]() |
2–3 | ![]() |
1–0 | 1–3 |
Al-Ain ![]() |
3–8 | ![]() |
2–4 | 1–4 |
Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tianjin Quanjian ![]() |
2–2 (a) | ![]() |
0–0 | 2–2 |
Buriram United ![]() |
3–4 | ![]() |
3–2 | 0–2 |
Ulsan Hyundai ![]() |
1–3 | ![]() |
1–0 | 0–3 |
Kashima Antlers ![]() |
4–3 | ![]() |
3–1 | 1–2 |
Quarter-finals
[edit]The draw for the quarter-finals was held on 23 May 2018.[19] In the quarter-finals, the four teams from the West Region played in two ties, and the four teams from the East Region played in two ties, with the matchups and order of legs decided by draw, without any seeding or country protection.
Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Esteghlal ![]() |
3–5 | ![]() |
1–3 | 2–2 |
Al-Duhail ![]() |
2–3 | ![]() |
1–0 | 1–3 |
Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kashima Antlers ![]() |
5–0 | ![]() |
2–0 | 3–0 |
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors ![]() |
3–3 (2–4 p) | ![]() |
0–3 | 3–0 (a.e.t.) |
Semi-finals
[edit]In the semi-finals, the two quarter-final winners from the West Region played each other, and the two quarter-final winners from the East Region played each other, with the order of legs determined by the quarter-final draw.
Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Al-Sadd ![]() |
1–2 | ![]() |
0–1 | 1–1 |
Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kashima Antlers ![]() |
6–5 | ![]() |
3–2 | 3–3 |
Final
[edit]In the final, the two semi-final winners played each other, with the order of legs (first leg hosted by team from the East Region, second leg hosted by team from the West Region) reversed from the previous season's final.
Kashima Antlers won 2–0 on aggregate.
Awards
[edit]Main awards
[edit]Award | Player | Team |
---|---|---|
Most Valuable Player[20] | ![]() |
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Top Goalscorer[21] | ![]() |
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Fair Play Award | — | ![]() |
Best Goal[22] | ![]() |
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All-Star Squad
[edit]Source:[23]
Position | Player | Team |
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Goalkeeper | ![]() |
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Defenders | ![]() |
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Midfielders | ![]() |
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Forwards | ![]() |
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Opta Best XI
[edit]Source:[24]
Position | Player | Team |
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Goalkeeper | ![]() |
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Defenders | ![]() |
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Midfielders | ![]() |
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Forwards | ![]() |
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Fans' Best XI
[edit]Source:[24]
Position | Player | Team |
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Goalkeeper | ![]() |
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Defenders | ![]() |
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Midfielders | ![]() |
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Forwards | ![]() |
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Top scorers
[edit]Rank | Player | Team | MD1 | MD2 | MD3 | MD4 | MD5 | MD6 | 2R1 | 2R2 | QF1 | QF2 | SF1 | SF2 | F1 | F2 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
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2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 13 | ||||||
2 | ![]() |
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2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | |||||||
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2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||
4 | ![]() |
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1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | ||||||||||
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1 | 4 | 2 | |||||||||||||
6 | ![]() |
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1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||||||||||
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3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||
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1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
9 | ![]() |
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3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |||||||||||
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1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||
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1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
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1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||
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1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
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1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||
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2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Note: Goals scored in the qualifying play-offs are not counted when determining top scorer (Regulations Article 64.4).[1]
Source: AFC[25]
Player of the week awards
[edit]Matchday | Toyota Player of the Week | |
---|---|---|
Player | Team | |
Group stage | ||
Matchday 1[26] | ![]() |
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Matchday 2[27] | ![]() |
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Matchday 3[28] | ![]() |
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Matchday 4[29] | ![]() |
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Matchday 5[30] | ![]() |
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Matchday 6[31] | ![]() |
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Knockout stage | ||
Round of 16 1st leg[32] | ![]() |
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Round of 16 2nd leg[33] | ![]() |
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Quarter-finals 1st leg[34] | ![]() |
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Quarter-finals 2nd leg[35] | ![]() |
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Semi-finals 1st leg[36] | ![]() |
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Semi-finals 2nd leg[37] | ![]() |
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Final 1st leg[38] | ![]() |
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Final 2nd leg[39] | ![]() |
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See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "2018 AFC Champions League Competition Regulations" (PDF). AFC.
- ^ "Revamp of AFC competitions". AFC. 25 January 2014.
- ^ "ExCo approves expanded AFC Asian Cup finals". AFC. 16 April 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Entry Manual: AFC Club Competitions 2017–2020" (PDF). AFC.
- ^ a b c "AFC MA Ranking (as of 30 November 2016)" (PDF). AFC.
- ^ "AFC Club Competitions Ranking Mechanics (2016 version)" (PDF). AFC.
- ^ a b c d e "List of Licensed Clubs for AFC Champions League 2018" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
- ^ "FIFA Congress drives football forward, first female secretary general appointed". FIFA. Archived from the original on May 16, 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ^ "PSSI Tolak Banding Klub Terkait Lisensi AFC" [PSSI reject club appeals related to AFC license] (in Indonesian). Goal.com. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ "Lekhwiya, Al Jaish Clubs to Merge into One Club under the Name of Al Duhail Sports Club". www.qna.org.qa. Archived from the original on 2017-04-12. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
- ^ "Al Ain ruled out of next year's ACL". Gulf News. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- ^ "Al Ain cleared to play in AFC Champions League". Gulf News. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ "AFC: FLC THANH HÓA THAY QUẢNG NAM ĐÁ AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE". Goal.com. 30 November 2017.
- ^ "AFC Competitions Calendar 2018". AFC. 11 January 2018.
- ^ a b "AFC Champions League 2018 draw concluded". AFC. 6 December 2017.
- ^ "AFC Champions League 2018 Official Group Stage Draw". YouTube. 6 December 2017.
- ^ "Impressive quarter-finalists promise thrills". AFC. 22 May 2018.
- ^ "AFC Champions League 2018 Knockout Stage Official Draw". YouTube. 23 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Quarter-final ties confirmed". AFC. 23 May 2018.
- ^ "Yuma Suzuki of Kashima named 2018 MVP". AFC. 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Al Sadd's Bounedjah bags Top Scorer Award". AFC. 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Kitchee's Cheng winner of Best #ACL2018 Goal". AFC. 22 November 2018.
- ^ "AFC Champions League 2018 Technical Report". AFC. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
- ^ a b "The Best ACL2018 XI announced!". AFC. 9 August 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "Top Goal Scorers (by Stage) – 2018 AFC Champions League (Group Stage, Round of 16, Knock-out Stage)". the-afc.com. AFC.
- ^ "ACL2018 MD1 Toyota Player of the Week: Leroy George". AFC. 15 February 2018.
- ^ "ACL2018 MD2 Toyota Player of the Week: Oscar". AFC. 23 February 2018.
- ^ "ACL2018 MD3 Toyota Player of the Week: Ricardo Goulart". AFC. 8 March 2018.
- ^ "ACL2018 MD4 Toyota Player of the Week: Ali Khaseif". AFC. 16 March 2018.
- ^ "ACL2018 MD5 Toyota Player of the Week: Mislav Orsic". AFC. 6 April 2018.
- ^ "ACL2018 MD6 Toyota Player of the Week: Alan". AFC. 20 April 2018.
- ^ "ACL2018 Round of 16 First Leg Toyota Player of the Week: Edgar". AFC. 11 May 2018.
- ^ "Round of 16, Second Leg Toyota Player of the Week: Mame Thiam". AFC. 18 May 2018.
- ^ "Quarter-final, First Leg Toyota Player of the Week: Dejan Damjanovic". AFC. 30 August 2018.
- ^ "Quarter-final, Second Leg Toyota Player of the Week: Akram Afif". AFC. 20 September 2018.
- ^ "Semi-Final, First Leg Toyota Player of the Week: Alireza Beiranvand". AFC. 5 October 2018.
- ^ "Semi-finals, Second Leg Toyota Player of the Week: Dejan Damjanovic". AFC. 26 October 2018.
- ^ "Final, First Leg Toyota Player of the Week: Serginho". AFC. November 2018.
- ^ "Final, 2nd Leg Toyota Player of the Week: Kwoun Sun-tae". AFC. 17 November 2018.
External links
[edit]- AFC Champions League, the-AFC.com
- AFC Champions League 2018, stats.the-AFC.com