2011 AFC Cup group stage explained

See main article: 2011 AFC Cup.

A total of 32 teams, 20 from West Asia and 12 from East Asia, competed in the 2011 AFC Cup group stage. They included 28 direct entries and 4 losers of the 2011 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off (two from West Asia and two from East Asia).

The draw for the group stage was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 7 December 2010.^[1] The 32 teams were drawn into eight groups of four. Clubs from the same country may not be drawn into the same group.^[2]

In each group, teams played each other home-and-away in a round-robin format. The matchdays were 1–2 March, 15–16 March, 12–13 April, 26–27 April, 3–4 May, and 10–11 May 2011.^[3]

The winners and runners-up of each group advanced to the knockout stage.^[4]

Tiebreakers

The clubs are ranked according to points and tie breakers are in following order:^[4]

Greater number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned;
Goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned;
Greater number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned; (Away goals do not apply)
Goal difference in all the group matches;
Greater number of goals scored in all the group matches;
Kicks from the penalty mark if only two teams are involved and they are both on the field of play;
Fewer score calculated according to the number of yellow and red cards received in the group matches; (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card as a consequence of two yellow cards, 3 points for each direct red card, 4 points for each yellow card followed by a direct red card)
Drawing of lots.

Groups

Group A

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Notes

Note 1: Al-Tilal v Al-Ansar moved to Jordan due to the political situation in Yemen.^[5] Note 2: Al Tilal v Dempo moved to India due to the political situation in Yemen.^[6]

Group B

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Notes

Note 3: Al-Saqr vs Al-Qadsia moved to Kuwait and brought forward from 26 April 2011 to 15 April 2011 due to the political situation in Yemen.^[7] Note 4: Al-Saqr vs Shurtan Guzar moved to Syria due to the political situation in Yemen.^[8]

Group C

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Notes

Note 5: Al-Faisaly v Duhok moved to Amman International Stadium at Amman.^[9]

Group D

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Group E

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Notes

Note 6: Last two home matches of Al-Karamah moved to Abbasiyyin Stadium at Damascus after approval by AFC.^[10]

Group F

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Group G

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Group H

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Notes

Note 7: Last two home matches of Persipura Jayapura moved to Mandala Stadium at Jayapura after approval by AFC.^[11] Note 8: Kingfisher East Bengal v South China moved to Barabati Stadium at Cuttack due to the state assembly elections which would mean lack of security personnel for the match in Kolkata.^[12]

External links

AFC Cup Official Page

Notes and References

http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-cup/31697-afc-cup-tough-encounters-in-the-offing AFC Cup: Tough encounters in the offing
Web site: AFC Cup 2011 Draw Mechanism for Preliminary Stage (Group & Round of 16) . 2010-12-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101214051308/http://images.the-afc.com/Documents/comps/2011/afccup2011_draw_mechanics.pdf . 2010-12-14 . dead .
Web site: 2011 AFC Cup Official Match Schedule . 2010-12-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110426143456/http://images.the-afc.com/Documents/comps/2011/AFCCUP2011_match_schedule.pdf . 2011-04-26 . dead .
Web site: AFC Cup 2011 Competitions Regulations . 2010-12-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101214074403/http://images.the-afc.com/Documents/comps/regs/AFCCup_2011_Competitions_Regulations.pdf . 2010-12-14 . dead .
https://web.archive.org/web/20180927041221/http://www.the-afc.com/en/inside-afc/676-afc-news/34064-al-tilal-al-ansar-match-moved-to-jordan Al Tilal-Al Ansar match moved to Jordan
https://web.archive.org/web/20180927032850/http://www.the-afc.com/en/inside-afc/676-afc-news/34434-al-tilal-to-play-home-game-in-india Al Tilal to play home game in India
https://web.archive.org/web/20180927042019/http://www.the-afc.com/en/inside-afc/676-afc-news/34104-al-saqr-al-qadsia-match-date-venue-changed Al Saqr-Al Qadsia match date, venue changed
https://web.archive.org/web/20180927035003/http://www.the-afc.com/en/inside-afc/676-afc-news/34462-al-saqr-to-play-home-game-in-syria Al Saqr to play home game in Syria
http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-cup/34529-al-faisaly-duhok-game-moved-to-amman-int-stadium Al Faisaly-Duhok game moved to Amman Int Stadium
http://www.the-afc.com/en/inside-afc/676-afc-news/34431-change-in-al-karamahs-home-venue Change in Al Karamah’s home venue
https://web.archive.org/web/20180927033727/http://www.the-afc.com/en/inside-afc/676-afc-news/34063-change-in-persipura-jayapuras-home-venue- Change in Persipura Jayapura’s home venue
http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-cup/34485-east-bengal-v-south-china Victory or it’s ‘bye-bye’ Bengal