In the early hours of August 23rd, Beijing time, with Riyadh defeating Dubai National 4-2, all 32 teams for the new AFC Champions League season were released, with two superstars, Cairo and Neymar, leading the competition. This leaves Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan all with four teams in the competition, while Iran, Thailand and China all have three. In the Chinese Super League, only Shanghai Harbour missed out on the group stage, tying the worst record in the team's history.
The eight play-in games are as follows:
East Asia: Incheon United 3-1 Haiphong, Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0 Richmond, Shanghai Seaport 2-3 Batang United, Zhejiang 1-0 Thai Port.
The biggest snub, or the new season's Chinese Super League leader, Shanghai Harbour, was eliminated 2-3 at home by Pathum United, the team's first ever loss to a Thai team.
West Asia:Riyadh Sheng 4-2 Dubai National, Doha Arab 0-1 Al Marek, Tabriz Tractor 1-3 Sharjah, Vokra Sports 0-1 Namangan Chun.
As the favorites to win the title, Riyadh Victory, which boasts a host of stars such as Crowe, Talisker, Mane and Browe, were almost eliminated. The Chinese referee team enforced the law, with referee Fu Ming refusing to award a penalty for an obvious spot kick. In the end, Riyadh Victory relied on strong strength to complete the comeback.
All of the top 32 seats are available:
[East Asia Region]
Tier 1: Ulsan Hyundai (KOR), Yokohama Marinos (JPN), Wuhan Sanzhen (CHN), Buriram United (THA), Hyundai (KOR) Jeonbuk
Second: Kofu Furin (Japan), Shandong Taishan (China), Bangkok United (Thailand), Pohang Ironmen (South Korea), Kawasaki Frontale (Japan)
Third, Hanoi FC (Vietnam), Kaya FC (Philippines), JDT (Malaysia) Johor, Lions City Mariners (Singapore), Melbourne City (Australia)
Tranche 4: Kitchee (Hong Kong, China), Zhejiang (China), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), Pathum United (Thailand), Incheon United (South Korea)
[Western Asia region]
Tier 1: Riyadh Crescent (Saudi Arabia), Iran (Iran) Persepolis, Qatar (Qatar), Uzbekistan are Tashkent Cotton Farmers, Jeddah United (Saudi Arabia)
Group II: Mazandaran (Iran), Duhail (Qatar), Nassaf (Uzbekistan), Tollha (Saudi Arabia), Iran (Iran)
Tranche 3: Faisaly Sports (Jordan), Dushanbe Independence (Tajikistan), Baghdad Air Force (Iraq), Ahal (Turkmenistan), Mumbai City (India)
Tranche 4: Al Ain (UAE), Namanganchun (Uzbekistan), Sharjah (UAE), Al Marek (Uzbekistan), Saudi Arabia (Saudi Arabia)
According to the arrangement of the AFC, the draw for the AFC Champions League group stage will be held on August 24 at 4:00 p.m. at the AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. The draw follows the principle of avoidance with the association teams. A total of 40 teams from the East and West zones will participate in the draw, with four teams in each group, Groups A-E in the West zone and Groups F-J in the East zone. Also, each group was ranked first, each group was ranked second, and each group was ranked third. A total of 16 teams advanced to the knockout rounds, which will be held from February to April next year.
