Wikipedia

2021 AFC Champions League

The 2021 AFC Champions League was the 40th edition of Asia's premier club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the 19th under the current AFC Champions League title.[2]

2021 AFC Champions League
Tournament details
DatesQualifying:
7–10 April 2021 (W)
23 June 2021 (E)
Competition proper:
14 April – 23 November 2021
TeamsCompetition: 40
Total: 49 (from 20 associations)
Final positions
ChampionsSaudi Arabia Al-Hilal (4th title)
Runners-upSouth Korea Pohang Steelers
Tournament statistics
Matches played135
Goals scored379 (2.81 per match)
Attendance147,086 (1,090 per match)
Top scorer(s)Kenya Michael Olunga
(9 goals)
Best player(s)Saudi Arabia Salem Al-Dawsari[1]
Fair play awardSaudi Arabia Al-Hilal
← 2020
(Note: All statistics do not include qualifying play-offs)

Al-Hilal won their fourth title by defeating Pohang Steelers 2–0 in the final, becoming the most successful team in the history of the competition. As winners, they automatically qualified for the 2022 AFC Champions League (although they had already qualified through their domestic performance).[3] They also earned the right to play in the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

The tournament was the first to involve 40 teams during the group stage, with an increase from the previous 32 teams.[4]

Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea were the defending champions, but were eliminated in the semi-finals by fellow South Korean club Pohang Steelers.

Association team allocation

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The 46 AFC member associations (excluding the Northern Mariana Islands, which became a full member in December 2020 and are not eligible for this season) are ranked based on their clubs' performance over the last four years in AFC competitions (their national team's FIFA World Rankings no longer considered).[5] The slots are allocated by the following criteria according to the Entry Manual:[6]

  • The associations are split into two regions (Article 3.1):
  • The top 12 associations in each region are eligible to enter the AFC Champions League.
  • In each region, there are five groups in the group stage, including 16 direct slots, with the 4 remaining slots filled through qualifying play-offs (Article 3.2). The slots in each region are distributed as follows:[7][8]
    • The associations ranked 1st and 2nd are each allocated three direct slots and one play-off slot.
    • The associations ranked 3rd and 4th are each allocated two direct slots and two play-off slots.
    • The associations ranked 5th are each allocated one direct slot and two play-off slots.
    • The associations ranked 6th are each allocated one direct slot and one play-off slot.
    • The associations ranked 7th to 10th are each allocated one direct slot.
    • The associations ranked 11th to 12th are each allocated one play-off slot.
  • The AFC Champions League title holders and AFC Cup title holders are each allocated one play-off slot should they not qualify for the tournament through domestic performance (Article 3.6). However, there are no AFC Cup title holders for this season as the 2020 AFC Cup was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9] The following rules are applied:
    • If the AFC Champions League title holders or AFC Cup title holders are from associations ranked 1st to 6th, their association is allocated the same number of play-off slots, and they replace the lowest-seeded team from their association. Otherwise, their association is allocated one additional play-off slot, and they do not replace any team from their association (Articles 3.8, 3.9 and 3.10).
    • If both the AFC Champions League title holders and AFC Cup title holders are from the same association which is allocated only one play-off slot, their association is allocated one additional play-off slot, and only the lowest-seeded team from their association is replaced as a result (Article 3.11).
    • The AFC Champions League title holders and AFC Cup title holders are the lowest-seeded teams in the qualifying play-offs if they do not replace any team from their association (Article 3.12).
  • If any association ranked 1st to 6th do not fulfill any one of the AFC Champions League criteria, they have all their direct slots converted into play-off slots. The direct slots given up are redistributed to the highest eligible association by the following criteria (Articles 3.13 and 3.14):
    • For each association, the maximum number of total slots is four and the maximum number of direct slots is three (Articles 3.4 and 3.5).
    • If any association ranked 3rd to 6th is allocated one additional direct slot, one play-off slot is annulled and not redistributed.
    • If any association ranked 5th to 6th is allocated two additional direct slots, one play-off slot is annulled and not redistributed.
  • If any association ranked 7th to 10th do not fulfill any one of the AFC Champions League criteria, they have their direct slot converted into play-off slot. The direct slot given up is redistributed to the next association ranked 11th or 12th, whose play-off slot is annulled and not redistributed, or if neither are eligible, the highest eligible association by the same criteria as mentioned above (Articles 3.16 and 3.17).
  • If any association with only play-off slot(s), including any association ranked 11th to 12th or those mentioned above, do not fulfill the minimum AFC Champions League criteria, the play-off slot(s) are annulled and not redistributed (Articles 3.19 and 3.20).
  • For each association, the maximum number of total slots is one-third of the total number of eligible teams (excluding foreign teams) in the top division (Article 3.4). If this rule is applied, any direct slots given up are redistributed by the same criteria as mentioned above, and play-off slots are annulled and not redistributed (Article 9.10).
  • All participating teams must be granted an AFC Champions League license, and apart from cup winners, finish in the top half of their top division (Articles 7.1 and 9.5). If any association do not have enough teams which satisfy these criteria, any direct slots given up are redistributed by the same criteria as mentioned above, and play-off slots are annulled and not redistributed (Article 9.9).
  • If any team granted a license refuses to participate, their slot, either direct or play-off, is annulled and not redistributed (Article 9.11).

Association ranking

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For the 2021 AFC Champions League, the associations are allocated slots according to their association ranking which was published on 29 November 2019,[10][11] which takes into account their performance in the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup during the period between 2016 and 2019.

Participation for 2021 AFC Champions League[12]
Participating
Not participating
Notes
  1. ^
    Turkmenistan (TKM): The team from Turkmenistan granted an AFC Champions League license, Köpetdag, withdrew from the competition before the draw.[12]
  2. ^
    Lebanon (LBN): No teams from Lebanon were granted an AFC Champions League license.[12]
  3. ^
    Syria (SYR): No teams from Syria were granted an AFC Champions League license.[12]
  4. ^
    China (CHN): One of the four teams from China which originally entered the AFC Champions League, Jiangsu, withdrew from the competition after the draw.[13]
  5. ^
    Australia (AUS): The three teams from Australia which originally entered the AFC Champions League, Sydney FC, Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar, withdrew from the competition after the draw.[14]
  6. ^
    North Korea (PRK): No teams from North Korea were granted an AFC Champions League license.[12]
  7. ^
    Myanmar (MYA): The team from Myanmar which originally entered the AFC Champions League, Shan United, withdrew from the competition after the draw.[15]

Teams

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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
  1. ^
    Title holders (TH): Ulsan Hyundai were the title holders.
  2. ^
    Australia (AUS): Wellington Phoenix, the 2019–20 A-League regular season third place, were a team from New Zealand and thus ineligible to represent Australia in AFC club competitions. As a result, Brisbane Roar, the regular season fourth place, qualify for the 2021 AFC Champions League as Australia 3.
  3. ^
    China (CHN): On 8 February 2021, the AFC announced that Shandong Taishan, the 2020 Chinese FA Cup winners, had not satisfied the mandatory Criterion F.04 of the AFC Club Licensing Regulations (Edition 2016) concerning overdue payables, and their licence was withdrawn by the AFC's independent Entry Control Body, and thus were declared ineligible to participate in the 2021 AFC Champions League.[16] As a result, Shanghai Port qualified for the 2021 AFC Champions League, and Beijing Guoan entered the group stage instead of the qualifying play-offs.[17] On 28 February 2021, league champions Jiangsu announced its dissolution.[18]
  4. ^
    Iraq (IRQ): Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq, the 2019–20 Iraqi Premier League and the 2019–20 Iraq FA Cup were cancelled and declared null and void by the Iraq Football Association. Originally a play-off was to be held to determine the teams from Iraq playing in the 2021 AFC Champions League.[19] However, it was later decided that the results of the previous domestic season (2018–19 Iraqi Premier League and 2018–19 Iraq FA Cup) would be used.[20]
  5. ^
    South Korea (KOR): Sangju Sangmu, the 2020 K League 1 fourth place, are a military team and have confirmed that the team would move its franchise city in the 2021 season and would be relegated to K League 2 regardless of their final position in the 2020 season. As a result, Daegu FC, the 2020 K League 1 fifth place, qualified for the 2021 AFC Champions League.
  6. ^
    Philippines (PHI): Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, the 2020 Copa Paulino Alcantara was cancelled and not organized by the Philippine Football Federation. The teams from the Philippines playing in the 2021 AFC Champions League were determined only by the results of the 2020 Philippines Football League.[21]
  7. ^
    Replacement 1 (RE1): Pohang Steelers and Ratchaburi Mitr Phol entered the group stage instead of the qualifying play-offs after Jiangsu ceased operation.[22]
  8. ^
    Replacement 2 (RE2): Australian teams Sydney FC, Melbourne City, and Brisbane Roar withdrew from the competition after the draw.[23] Chiangrai United, Daegu FC, and Cerezo Osaka entered the group stage instead of the qualifying play-offs and Kaya–Iloilo entered the qualifying play-offs instead of the preliminary round.[24]
  9. ^
    Singapore (SGP): Albirex Niigata (S), the 2020 Singapore Premier League champions, are a team from Japan and thus ineligible to represent Singapore in AFC club competitions. As a result, Tampines Rovers, the 2020 Singapore Premier League runners-up, qualified for the 2021 AFC Champions League.
  10. ^
    Thailand (THA): Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, the Football Association of Thailand extended both the 2020 Thai League 1 and 2020 Thai FA Cup to be completed in 2021. The teams from Thailand playing in the 2021 AFC Champions League were determined by the results of the 2020–21 Thai League 1 after the first half of the season (Round 15).[25][26]
  11. ^
    Turkmenistan (TKM): Altyn Asyr, the 2020 Ýokary Liga champions, were not granted an AFC Champions League license. As a result, Köpetdag, the league fourth place and the best team granted an AFC Champions League license, qualify for the 2021 AFC Champions League as Turkmenistan 1.[12][27]
  12. ^
    United Arab Emirates (UAE): Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates, the 2019–20 UAE Pro League and the 2019–20 UAE President's Cup were cancelled and declared null and void by the United Arab Emirates Football Association. The teams from the United Arab Emirates playing in the 2021 AFC Champions League were determined by the results of the previous domestic season (2018–19 UAE Pro League and 2018–19 UAE President's Cup).[28][29]
  13. ^
    Uzbekistan (UZB): Nasaf, the 2020 Uzbekistan Super League runners-up, were not granted an AFC Champions League license. As a result, AGMK, the second best team granted an AFC Champions League license (2020 Uzbekistan Super League third place), qualified for the 2021 AFC Champions League.[12][30]
 
 
Qatar
 
Riyadh
 
 
 
Tehran
 
 
 
DSA Metropolitan
 
 
 
Baghdad
 
Tashkent
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Osaka
 
 
 
Gyeongsang
 
Bangkok
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Riyadh teams
  Al-Hilal
  Al-Nassr

Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman (DSA) Metropolitan teams
  Sharjah
  Shabab Al-Ahli

Tashkent teams
  Pakhtakor Tashkent
  AGMK
 
Gyeongsang Province teams
  Ulsan Hyundai
  Pohang Steelers
  Daegu FC

Osaka teams
  Gamba Osaka
  Cerezo Osaka

Greater Bangkok teams
  BG Pathum United
  Port
class=notpageimage|
Location of teams of the 2021 AFC Champions League.
  Brown: Group A;   Red: Group B;   Orange: Group C;   Yellow: Group D;   Pink: Group E;
  Green: Group F;   Blue: Group G;   Cyan: Group H;   Turquoise: Group I;   Purple: Group J;
  Qualifying play-offs

Schedule

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The schedule of the competition is as follows.[31][32]

On 25 January 2021, the AFC published the schedule of the competition. The group stage is played as centralized double round-robin tournament, and the round of 16 and quarter-finals are played as a single match.[33][34]

Notes:

  • W: West Region
  • E: East Region
Stage Round Draw date Match date
Preliminary stage Preliminary round No draw 20 June 2021 (E)
Play-off stage Play-off round 7–10 April 2021 (W), 23 June 2021 (E)
Group stage Matchday 1 27 January 2021[35] 14–15 April 2021 (W), 22–26 June 2021 (E)
Matchday 2 17–18 April 2021 (W), 25–29 June 2021 (E)
Matchday 3 20–21 April 2021 (W), 28 June – 2 July 2021 (E)
Matchday 4 23–24 April 2021 (W), 1–5 July 2021 (E)
Matchday 5 26–27 April 2021 (W), 4–8 July 2021 (E)
Matchday 6 29–30 April 2021 (W), 7–11 July 2021 (E)
Knockout stage Round of 16 13–15 September 2021
Quarter-finals 17 September 2021 16–17 October 2021
Semi-finals 19–20 October 2021
Final 23 November 2021

The original schedule of the competition, as planned before the pandemic, was as follows.

Original schedule for 2021 AFC Champions League
Stage Round Draw date First leg Second leg
Preliminary stage Preliminary round No draw 26 January 2021
Play-off stage Play-off round 2 February 2021
Group stage Matchday 1 TBD 15–16 February 2021 (W), 23–24 February 2021 (E)
Matchday 2 22–23 February 2021 (W), 2–3 March 2021 (E)
Matchday 3 8–9 March 2021 (W), 16–17 March 2021 (E)
Matchday 4 5–7 April 2021
Matchday 5 19–21 April 2021
Matchday 6 3–5 May 2021
Knockout stage Round of 16 17–19 May 2021 24–26 May 2021
Quarter-finals TBD 23–25 August 2021 13–15 September 2021
Semi-finals 28–29 September 2021 19–20 October 2021
Final 21 November 2021 27 November 2021

Qualifying play-offs

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Main article: 2021 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs

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.[2] The bracket of the qualifying play-offs for each region was determined based on each team's association ranking and their seeding within their association, with the team from the higher-ranked association hosting the match in the West Region. Teams from the same association could not be placed into the same tie. The eight winners of the play-off round (four each from both West Region and East Region) advanced to the group stage to join the 32 direct entrants.[36]

Preliminary round

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Team 1  Score  Team 2
East Region
Brisbane Roar   Cancelled[note 1]   Kaya–Iloilo
Melbourne City   Cancelled[note 2]   Shan United

Play-off round

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Team 1  Score  Team 2
West Region
Al-Gharafa   0–1 (a.e.t.)   AGMK
Al-Wehda   1–1 (a.e.t.)
(2–3 p) 		  Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
Foolad   4–0   Al-Ain
Al-Wahda   2–1   Al-Zawraa
Team 1  Score  Team 2
East Region
Shanghai Port   0–1   Kaya–Iloilo
Cerezo Osaka   Cancelled[note 1]   Melbourne City
Pohang Steelers   Cancelled[note 3]   Ratchaburi Mitr Phol
Daegu FC   Cancelled[note 1]   Chiangrai United

Group stage

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Main article: 2021 AFC Champions League group stage

The draw for the group stage was held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 27 January 2021.[39] The 40 teams were drawn into ten groups of four: five groups each in the West Region (Groups A–E) and the East Region (Groups F–J). For each zone, teams were seeded into four pots and drawn into the relevant positions within each group, based on their association ranking and their seeding within their association, in consideration of technical balance between groups. Teams from the same association could not be drawn into the same group.[40]

In the group stage, each group was played on a double round-robin basis in centralised venues. The winners of each group and three best runners-up from each region advanced to the round of 16 of the knockout stage.

Group A

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Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification IST HIL SAH AGK
1   Istiklol 6 3 1 2 10 8 +2 10[a] Advance to Round of 16 — 4–1 0–0 1–2
2   Al-Hilal (H) 6 3 1 2 11 9 +2 10[a] 3–1 — 0–2 2–2
3   Shabab Al-Ahli 6 2 1 3 6 6 0 7[b] 0–1 0–2 — 3–1
4   AGMK 6 2 1 3 9 13 −4 7[b] 2–3 0–3 2–1 —
Source: AFC
(H) Hosts
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Head-to-head goal difference: Istiklol 1, Al Hilal −1.
  2. ^ a b Head-to-head goal difference: Shabab Al-Ahli 1, AGMK −1.

Group B

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Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification SHA TRA PAK QWJ
1   Sharjah (H) 6 3 2 1 9 6 +3 11 Advance to Round of 16 — 0–2 4–1 1–0
2   Tractor 6 2 4 0 6 3 +3 10 0–0 — 0–0 1–0
3   Pakhtakor 6 1 4 1 6 8 −2 7 1–1 3–3 — 1–0
4   Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 6 0 2 4 2 6 −4 2 2–3 0–0 0–0 —
Source: AFC
(H) Hosts

Group C

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Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification EST DUH AHL SHO
1   Esteghlal 6 3 2 1 14 8 +6 11 Advance to Round of 16 — 2–2 5–2 1–0
2   Al-Duhail 6 2 3 1 11 9 +2 9 4–3 — 1–1 2–0
3   Al-Ahli (H) 6 2 3 1 9 8 +1 9 0–0 1–1 — 2–1
4   Al-Shorta 6 1 0 5 3 12 −9 3 0–3 2–1 0–3 —
Source: AFC
(H) Hosts

Group D

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Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification NAS SAD WEH FOO
1   Al-Nassr (H) 6 3 2 1 9 5 +4 11 Advance to Round of 16 — 3–1 1–2 2–0
2   Al-Sadd 6 3 1 2 9 7 +2 10 1–2 — 3–1 1–1
3   Al-Wehdat 6 2 1 3 4 7 −3 7 0–0 0–2 — 1–0
4   Foolad 6 1 2 3 3 6 −3 5 1–1 0–1 1–0 —
Source: AFC
(H) Hosts

Group E

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Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification PER WAH GOA RAY
1   Persepolis 6 5 0 1 14 5 +9 15 Advance to Round of 16 — 1–0 2–1 4–2
2   Al-Wahda 6 4 1 1 7 3 +4 13 1–0 — 0–0 3–2
3   Goa (H) 6 0 3 3 2 9 −7 3 0–4 0–2 — 0–0
4   Al-Rayyan 6 0 2 4 6 12 −6 2 1–3 0–1 1–1 —
Source: AFC
(H) Hosts

Group F

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Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification ULS PAT VIE KAY
1   Ulsan Hyundai 6 6 0 0 13 1 +12 18 Advance to Round of 16 — 2–0 3–0 2–1
2   BG Pathum United (H) 6 4 0 2 10 6 +4 12 0–2 — 2–0 4–1
3   Viettel 6 2 0 4 7 9 −2 6 0–1 1–3 — 1–0
4   Kaya–Iloilo 6 0 0 6 2 16 −14 0 0–3 0–1 0–5 —
Source: AFC
(H) Hosts

Group G

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Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification NAG POH JOH RAT
1   Nagoya Grampus 6 5 1 0 14 2 +12 16 Advance to Round of 16 — 3–0 2–1 3–0
2   Pohang Steelers 6 3 2 1 9 5 +4 11 1–1 — 4–1 2–0
3   Johor Darul Ta'zim 6 1 1 4 3 9 −6 4 0–1 0–2 — 0–0
4   Ratchaburi Mitr Phol (H) 6 0 2 4 0 10 −10 2 0–4 0–0 0–1 —
Source: AFC
(H) Hosts

Group H

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Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification JEO GAM CHI TAM
1   Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 6 5 1 0 22 5 +17 16 Advance to Round of 16 — 2–1 2–1 9–0
2   Gamba Osaka 6 2 3 1 15 7 +8 9 2–2 — 1–1 8–1
3   Chiangrai United 6 2 2 2 8 7 +1 8 1–3 1–1 — 1–0
4   Tampines Rovers 6 0 0 6 1 27 −26 0 0–4 0–2 0–3 —
Source: AFC

Group I

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Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification KAW DAE UNI BJG
1   Kawasaki Frontale 6 6 0 0 27 3 +24 18 Advance to Round of 16 — 3–2 8–0 4–0
2   Daegu FC 6 4 0 2 22 6 +16 12 1–3 — 7–0 5–0
3   United City 6 1 1 4 4 24 −20 4 0–2 0–4 — 1–1
4   Beijing Guoan 6 0 1 5 3 23 −20 1 0–7 0–3 2–3 —
Source: AFC

Group J

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Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification CER KIT POR GZH
1   Cerezo Osaka 6 4 2 0 13 2 +11 14 Advance to Round of 16 — 2–1 1–1 5–0
2   Kitchee 6 3 2 1 6 3 +3 11 0–0 — 2–0 1–0
3   Port (H) 6 2 2 2 10 8 +2 8 0–3 1–1 — 3–0
4   Guangzhou 6 0 0 6 1 17 −16 0 0–2 0–1 1–5 —
Source: AFC
(H) Hosts

Ranking of second-placed teams

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West Region

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Pos Grp Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 E   Al-Wahda 6 4 1 1 7 3 +4 13 Advance to Round of 16
2 B   Tractor 6 2 4 0 6 3 +3 10
3 A   Al-Hilal 6 3 1 2 11 9 +2 10
4 D   Al-Sadd 6 3 1 2 9 7 +2 10
5 C   Al-Duhail 6 2 3 1 11 9 +2 9
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Disciplinary points; 5) Drawing of lots.

East Region

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Pos Grp Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 I   Daegu FC 6 4 0 2 22 6 +16 12 Advance to Round of 16
2 F   BG Pathum United 6 4 0 2 10 6 +4 12
3 G   Pohang Steelers 6 3 2 1 9 5 +4 11
4 J   Kitchee 6 3 2 1 6 3 +3 11
5 H   Gamba Osaka 6 2 3 1 15 7 +8 9
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Disciplinary points; 5) Drawing of lots.

Knockout stage

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Main article: 2021 AFC Champions League knockout stage

In the knockout stage, the 16 teams played a single-elimination tournament, with the teams split into the two regions until the final. All ties were played as a single-leg match (Regulations Article 9.1).[41] Extra time and penalty shoot-out were used to decide the winners if necessary (Regulations Article 9.3 and 10.1).[2]

Bracket

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Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
14 September – Sharjah
 
 
  Sharjah1 (4)
 
16 October – Riyadh
 
  Al Wahda (p)1 (5)
 
  Al Wahda1
 
14 September – Al Rayyan, Qatar
 
  Al-Nassr5
 
  Al Nassr1
 
19 October – Riyadh
 
  Tractor0
 
  Al-Nassr1
 
14 September – Dushanbe
 
  Al-Hilal2
 
  Istiklol0
 
16 October – Riyadh
 
  Persepolis1
 
  Persepolis0
 
13 September – Dubai, UAE
 
  Al-Hilal3
 
  Esteghlal0
 
23 November – Riyadh
 
  Al-Hilal2
 
  Al-Hilal2
 
15 September – Jeonju
 
  Pohang Steelers0
 
  Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (p)1 (4)
 
17 October – Jeonju
 
  BG Pathum United1 (2)
 
  Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors2
 
14 September – Ulsan
 
  Ulsan Hyundai (a.e.t.)3
 
  Ulsan Hyundai (p)0 (3)
 
20 October – Jeonju
 
  Kawasaki Frontale0 (2)
 
  Ulsan Hyundai1 (4)
 
15 September – Osaka
 
  Pohang Steelers (p)1 (5)
 
  Cerezo Osaka0
 
17 October – Jeonju
 
  Pohang Steelers1
 
  Pohang Steelers3
 
14 September – Toyota
 
  Nagoya Grampus0
 
  Nagoya Grampus4
 
 
  Daegu FC2
 

Round of 16

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The round of 16 was played over one leg, with the matchups determined by the combination tables based on which group runners-up qualified.

Team 1  Score  Team 2
West Region
Istiklol   0–1   Persepolis
Sharjah   1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p) 		  Al-Wahda
Esteghlal   0–2   Al-Hilal
Al-Nassr   1–0   Tractor
Team 1  Score  Team 2
East Region
Ulsan Hyundai   0–0 (a.e.t.)
(3–2 p) 		  Kawasaki Frontale
Nagoya Grampus   4–2   Daegu FC
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors   1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p) 		  BG Pathum United
Cerezo Osaka   0–1   Pohang Steelers

Quarter-finals

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The quarter-finals were played over one leg, with the matchups and home team decided by draw held on 17 September at 15:00 (UTC+8) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Team 1  Score  Team 2
West Region
Al Wahda   1–5   Al-Nassr
Persepolis   0–3   Al-Hilal
Team 1  Score  Team 2
East Region
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors   2–3 (a.e.t.)   Ulsan Hyundai
Pohang Steelers   3–0   Nagoya Grampus


Semi-finals

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The semi-finals were played over one leg.

Team 1  Score  Team 2
West Region
Al-Nassr   1–2   Al-Hilal
Team 1  Score  Team 2
East Region
Ulsan Hyundai   1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p) 		  Pohang Steelers

Final

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Main article: 2021 AFC Champions League final

The final was played over a single leg on 23 November. The host was determined on a rotational basis, with the match hosted by team from the West Region in odd-numbered years (Regulations 9.1.2).[2]

Al-Hilal  2–0  Pohang Steelers
 Live Report
Stats Report
Attendance: 50,171

Top scorers

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  Team eliminated for this round.
  Player is not in the team but team still active for this round.
Rank Player Team MD1 MD2 MD3 MD4 MD5 MD6 R16 QF SF F Total
1   Michael Olunga   Al-Duhail 1 1 3 2 1 1 9
2   Gustavo   Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1 4 1 1 1 8
3   Modou Barrow   Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 3 1 1 1 6
  Edgar   Daegu FC 1 2 1 1 1
  Leandro Damião   Kawasaki Frontale 2 1 3
  Bafétimbi Gomis   Al Hilal 1 1 1 1 2
  Patric   Gamba Osaka 1 2 2 1
8   Cheick Diabaté   Esteghlal 1 1 1 1 1 5
  Cesinha   Daegu FC 1 1 2 1
  Abderazak Hamdallah   Al-Nassr 1 1 1 1 1

Note: Goals scored in the qualifying play-offs and matches voided by AFC are not counted when determining top scorer (Regulations Article 64.4).[2]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Australian teams Sydney FC, Melbourne City, and Brisbane Roar withdrew from the competition after the draw.[23] Chiangrai United, Daegu FC, and Cerezo Osaka entered the group stage instead of the qualifying play-offs and Kaya–Iloilo entered the qualifying play-offs instead of the preliminary round.[24]
  2. ^ Shan United withdrew from the AFC Champions League following the state of emergency in Myanmar and Melbourne City would enter the play-off round instead of the preliminary round.[37] Later Melbourne City FC also withdrew, along the other Australian teams,[23] thus their opponent Cerezo Osaka entered the group stage.[24]
  3. ^ Pohang Steelers and Ratchaburi Mitr Phol entered the group stage instead of the qualifying play-offs after Jiangsu ceased operations.[38]

References

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  1. ^ "Al-Hilal reign in Asia after tale of two Al-Dawsaris in AFC Champions League triumph". Arab News. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "AFC Champions League 2021 Competition Regulations" (PDF). the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation.
  3. ^ "More Member Associations to benefit from inclusive AFC Champions League". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 23 November 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  4. ^ "AFC to invest in new era of national team and club competitions". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 26 October 2019. Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  5. ^ "AFC Club Competitions Ranking Mechanics". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  6. ^ "Entry Manual for AFC Club Competitions (2021 Edition)". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  7. ^ "More Member Associations to benefit from inclusive AFC Champions League". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 23 November 2019.
  8. ^ "Four Thailand clubs in AFC Champions League 2021; Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore also get group stage entry – Reports". Fox Sports Asia. 4 December 2019. Archived from the original on 6 December 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  9. ^ "AFC Executive Committee announces updates to 2020 competitions calendar". AFC. 10 September 2020. Archived from the original on 5 October 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  10. ^ a b c "AFC Club Competitions Ranking". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation.
  11. ^ "AFC Country Ranking 2019". FootyRankings. 24 November 2019. Archived from the original on 9 June 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g "List of Licensed Clubs for AFC Champions League 2021" (PDF). the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation.
  13. ^ "Latest update on AFC Champions League (East)". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  14. ^ "Latest update on AFC Champions League". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 4 June 2021.
  15. ^ "Latest updates on AFC Club Competitions". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 30 April 2021.
  16. ^ "Latest Decision by AFC Entry Control Body". Asian Football Confederation. 8 February 2021.
  17. ^ "Latest update on AFC Champions League (East)". Asian Football Confederation. 25 February 2021.
  18. ^ "Jiangsu FC: Inter Milan owners close Chinese Super League champions". BBC Sport. 28 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  19. ^ "Iraqi Premier League called off". Asian Football Confederation. 4 June 2020.
  20. ^ "Vice-chairman of the Iraq FA normalisation committee Shamel Kamel in dialogue with Al-Mada Paper". Al-Mada Paper. 1 July 2020.
  21. ^ Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (28 May 2020). "PFF to submit protocols to GAB for possible PFL return". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  22. ^ "Latest update on AFC Champions League (East)". AFC. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  23. ^ a b c "Latest update on AFC Champions League". AFC. 4 June 2021.
  24. ^ a b c "Contenders for AFC Champions League (East) Group and Playoff stages confirmed". AFC. 6 June 2021.
  25. ^ "บทสรุปการจัดการแข่งขันฟุตบอลลีกอาชีพ ไทยลีก 1 -2 ฤดูกาล 2563". Football Association of Thailand. 21 April 2020. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  26. ^ "Thai League 1 teams say no to scrapping results of first four games". The Phuket News. 22 April 2020.
  27. ^ "Пять клубов высшей лиги Туркменистана успешно прошли процесс лицензирование АФК". Türkmenistanyň Futbol Federasiýasy. Archived from the original on 2021-05-07. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  28. ^ "قرارات الاجتماع الطارئ لمجلس إدارة اتحاد الكرة". UAE Football Association. 18 June 2020.
  29. ^ "No champions declared following cancellation of UAE Pro League 2019-20 season". Asian Football Confederation. 19 June 2020.
  30. ^ "OFK "Nasaf"ga OChLda ishtirok etish huquqini bermadi. Qarshi jamoasi OFK Kubogida ishtirok etishi mumkin". daryo.uz. 16 December 2020.
  31. ^ "AFC Competitions Calendar 2021". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 5 December 2019.
  32. ^ "Latest update on the AFC Club Competitions in 2021 and 2022". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 5 July 2021.
  33. ^ "AFC Club Competitions' Group Stages to be played in centralised venues". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 25 January 2021.
  34. ^ "Venues for AFC Champions League 2021 Group Stage revealed". Asian Football Confederation. 11 March 2021.
  35. ^ "Largest-ever AFC Club Competitions' cast to discover opponents". Asian Football Confederation. 22 January 2021.
  36. ^ "ACL 2021 Draw Mechanism". Asian Football Confederation. 26 January 2021 – via YouTube.
  37. ^ "Latest updates on AFC Club Competitions". AFC. 30 April 2021.
  38. ^ "Latest update on AFC Champions League (East)". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  39. ^ "2021 AFC Champions League draw produces thrilling groups". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 27 January 2021.
  40. ^ "ACL 2021 Draw Mechanism". Asian Football Confederation. 26 January 2021 – via YouTube.
  41. ^ "Latest update on the AFC Club Competitions in 2021 and 2022". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation.
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