2012 AFC Champions League
Encyclopedia
The 2012 AFC Champions League will be the 31st edition of the top-level Asia
n club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation
(AFC), and the 10th under the current AFC Champions League
title. The winner will participate in 2012 FIFA Club World Cup
.
has approved criteria for participation in the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The final decision date was set after the Executive Committee meeting in November 2010.
On 30 November 2009, the AFC announced 12 more MA's that were keen to join the ACL, in addition to ten participating national associations. Singapore later withdrew. The full list of candidate associations were as follows:
East Asia
West Asia
Note: Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and India have clubs taking part in play-offs to qualify for the group stages of ACL in 2010.
, who were disqualifed, and their previous playoff slot was awarded to Qatar
. However, following the AFC Executive Committee meeting in November 2011, it was decided that the number of slots for each association to be changed based on evaluation of the AFC Champions League criteria that took place in 2011.
A total of eleven member associations (see below) which participated in the 2011 AFC Champions League
was evaluated for participating in the 2012 AFC Champions League. India
, which played in the 2011 ACL play-off, was not evaluated and dropped to the AFC Cup. The other member associations which applied but did not meet the criteria for 2011 ACL was not evaluated at all for 2012.
Notes One of the group stage direct entrants from Uzbekistan will enter the East Asia Zone. One of the K-League
clubs, Sangju Sangmu Phoenix, is unable to qualify for the ACL because the team is not a commercial entity and their players are not professionally contracted. While the 2010–11 A-League
, the season which qualified Australian clubs to the 2012 ACL, had 11 teams, the 2011–12 A-League
, the ongoing season, only has 10 teams after North Queensland Fury
was closed, and this number was given in the 2012 ACL evaluation report (page 8). One of the A-League
clubs, Wellington Phoenix
, is based in New Zealand, an OFC
member country, and are unable to qualify for the ACL. This number was given in the 2012 ACL evaluation report (page 8). The 2010–11 Indonesia Super League
, the season which qualified Indonesian clubs to the 2012 ACL, had 15 teams, and the 2011–12 Indonesian Premier League, the ongoing top division recognized by the Football Association of Indonesia, has 13 teams. There are two rival "top-division" leagues in Indonesia: the Indonesian Premier League
and the Indonesia Super League (the ISL is currently not recognized by the Football Association of Indonesia).
Notes
A total of ten teams will participate in the qualifying play-off, which will be divided into two rounds. The four winners of the final round, two from West Asia Zone and two from East Asia Zone, will qualify for the group stage. Losers of the qualifying play-off final round will enter the AFC Cup. However, losers of the qualifying play-off semi-final round will be eliminated from all AFC competitions, a change from previous seasons where they would also enter the AFC Cup.
Notes
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
n club football tournament organized by the 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), and the 10th under the current AFC Champions League
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
title. The winner will participate in 2012 FIFA Club World Cup
2012 FIFA Club World Cup
The 2012 FIFA Club World Cup is a football tournament planned for December 2012. It will be the 9th edition of the FIFA Club World Cup. The tournament will be hosted by Japan.-Qualified teams:-UEFA Berth:Winner of the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League...
.
Allocation of entries per association
The AFCAsian 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...
has approved criteria for participation in the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The final decision date was set after the Executive Committee meeting in November 2010.
On 30 November 2009, the AFC announced 12 more MA's that were keen to join the ACL, in addition to ten participating national associations. Singapore later withdrew. The full list of candidate associations were as follows:
East Asia
- Already participating:
AustraliaFootball Federation AustraliaFootball 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...
,
China PRFootball Association of the People's Republic of ChinaThe 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...
,
IndonesiaFootball Association of IndonesiaThe 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...
,
JapanJapan Football AssociationThe 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....
, Korea RepublicKorea Football AssociationThe 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.... - Keen to participate:
MalaysiaFootball Association of MalaysiaThe 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...
,
MyanmarMyanmar Football FederationThe 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...
,
ThailandFootball Association of ThailandThe 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... - Withdrew:
SingaporeFootball Association of SingaporeThe 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... - Disqualified:
VietnamVietnam Football FederationThe 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....
West Asia
- Already participating:
IranIslamic Republic of Iran Football FederationThe 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...
,
QatarQatar Football AssociationThe 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...
,
Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia Football FederationThe 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....
,
UAEUnited Arab Emirates Football AssociationThe 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...
,
UzbekistanUzbekistan Football FederationThe 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... - Keen to participate:
IraqIraq Football AssociationThe 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....
,
JordanJordan Football AssociationThe 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...
,
OmanOman Football AssociationThe 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...
,
PakistanPakistan Football FederationThe 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:...
,
PalestinePalestinian Football FederationThe 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....
,
Tajikistan, 
YemenYemen Football AssociationThe 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....
,
IndiaAll India Football FederationThe 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...
Note: Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and India have clubs taking part in play-offs to qualify for the group stages of ACL in 2010.
Entrants per association
It was originally announced that the allocation for entry to the 2012 ACL will stay the same as the previous three seasons with the exception of VietnamVietnam 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....
, who were disqualifed, and their previous playoff slot was awarded to 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...
. However, following the AFC Executive Committee meeting in November 2011, it was decided that the number of slots for each association to be changed based on evaluation of the AFC Champions League criteria that took place in 2011.
A total of eleven member associations (see below) which participated in the 2011 AFC Champions League
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...
was evaluated for participating in the 2012 AFC Champions League. 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...
, which played in the 2011 ACL play-off, was not evaluated and dropped to the AFC Cup. The other member associations which applied but did not meet the criteria for 2011 ACL was not evaluated at all for 2012.
| Evaluation for 2012 ACL | |
|---|---|
| Meet all items of the criteria | |
| Meet some items of the criteria | |
| Do not meet the criteria | |
| Member Association |
Clubs | Spots | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group stage | Play-off | AFC Cup 2012 AFC Cup The 2012 AFC Cup will be the 9th edition of the AFC Cup, played between clubs from nations who are members of the Asian Football Confederation.-Allocation of entries per association:... |
||
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Total | 5 | — | ||
| Member Association |
Clubs | Spots | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group stage | Play-off | AFC Cup 2012 AFC Cup The 2012 AFC Cup will be the 9th edition of the AFC Cup, played between clubs from nations who are members of the Asian Football Confederation.-Allocation of entries per association:... |
||
| 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 |
 Korea RepublicKorea 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.... |
15 (16) | 3 | 1 | 0 |
 China PR |
16 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 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 (10) | 2 | 1 | |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... |
18 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 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... |
24 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 5 | — | ||
Notes One of the group stage direct entrants from Uzbekistan will enter the East Asia Zone. 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 Phoenix, is unable to qualify for the ACL because the team is not a commercial entity and their players are not professionally contracted. While the 2010–11 A-League
2010–11 A-League
The 2010–11 A-League season is the sixth season of the Australian football championship since its establishment in 2004. The home and away season began on 5 August 2010 and concluded on 13 February 2011. The addition of brought the total number of teams to 11...
, the season which qualified Australian clubs to the 2012 ACL, had 11 teams, the 2011–12 A-League
2011–12 A-League
The A-League's 2011–12 season is the seventh season of the Australasian A-League football competition since its establishment in 2004. At the end of the previous season, the North Queensland Fury were cut from the competition by the governing body, Football Federation Australia, due to financial...
, the ongoing season, only has 10 teams after North Queensland Fury
North Queensland Fury FC
North Queensland Fury FC were a professional football club based in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, which competed in the A-League. North Queensland played its home fixtures at Dairy Farmers Stadium. The club was closed on 1 March 2011, due to financial instability.-History:A Townsville bid was...
was closed, and this number was given in the 2012 ACL evaluation report (page 8). 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, 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, and are unable to qualify for the ACL. This number was given in the 2012 ACL evaluation report (page 8). The 2010–11 Indonesia Super League
2010–11 Indonesia Super League
The 2010–11 Indonesia Super League was the third season of the Indonesia Super League , a fully professional football competition that replaced the Premier Division as the top rank of football competition structure in the country...
, the season which qualified Indonesian clubs to the 2012 ACL, had 15 teams, and the 2011–12 Indonesian Premier League, the ongoing top division recognized by the Football Association of Indonesia, has 13 teams. There are two rival "top-division" leagues in Indonesia: the Indonesian Premier League
Indonesian Premier League
Indonesian Premier League is the highest level of professional competition for football clubs in Indonesia since 2011. This competition is managed by PT Liga Prima Indonesia Sportindo, under supervision of the Football Association of Indonesia...
and the Indonesia Super League (the ISL is currently not recognized by the Football Association of Indonesia).
Qualifying teams
A total of 28 teams will directly enter the group stage.
|
|
||
Notes
- * Number of appearance in the group stage since the 2002/03 season, including quarterfinals appearance for the defending champions during 2004–2008 seasons.
- † One of the group stage direct entrants from Uzbekistan will enter the East Asia Zone.
A total of ten teams will participate in the qualifying play-off, which will be divided into two rounds. The four winners of the final round, two from West Asia Zone and two from East Asia Zone, will qualify for the group stage. Losers of the qualifying play-off final round will enter the AFC Cup. However, losers of the qualifying play-off semi-final round will be eliminated from all AFC competitions, a change from previous seasons where they would also enter the AFC Cup.
|
|
||
Notes
- Nasaf QarshiNasaf QarshiNasaf Qarshi FC is a professional football club in the Uzbek League. Their stadium is Qarshi Stadium located in Qarshi, Uzbekistan.-Club version:FC Nasaf is one of the top clubs in Uzbekistan. It is often listed as a "top 350 club" by IFFHS...
, the 2011 AFC Cup winners, already directly qualified for the group stage based on their domestic performance. - Al-KuwaitKuwait SCKuwait Sporting Club is a Kuwaiti professional football club. They have won the Kuwaiti Premier League 10 times, with the most recent one coming in 2008. Kuwait SC also has 23 trophies to their name in Kuwaiti Club Football history. Kuwait SC plays in Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium in Al Asimah,...
, the 2011 AFC Cup runners-up, failed to fulfil the criteria set by AFC to compete in the 2012 AFC Champions League, and thus directly entered the 2012 AFC Cup.
Schedule
Schedule of dates for 2012 competition.| Phase | Round | Draw date | First leg | Second leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying play-offs | Semi-finals | 6 December 2011 (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... , Malaysia) |
11–12 February 2012 | |
| Finals | 18 February 2012 | |||
| Group stage | Matchday 1 | 6–7 March 2012 | ||
| Matchday 2 | 20–21 March 2012 | |||
| Matchday 3 | 3–4 April 2012 | |||
| Matchday 4 | 17–18 April 2012 | |||
| Matchday 5 | 1–2 May 2012 | |||
| Matchday 6 | 15–16 May 2012 | |||
| Knockout phase | Round of 16 | 29–30 May 2012 | ||
| Quarter-finals | TBA | 19 September 2012 | 2–3 October 2012 | |
| Semi-finals | 24 October 2012 | 31 October 2012 | ||
| Final | 9 or 10 November 2012 at home of one of the finalists | |||