List of Asian Club Championship and AFC Champions League Elite finals explained

Founded:1967
Region:Asia (AFC)
Number Of Teams:24 (league stage)
2 (finalists)
Current:2024–25 AFC Champions League Elite

The AFC Champions League Elite is a seasonal football competition established in 1967. It is open to the league champions and cup winners of Asian Football Confederation member associations, as well as to the clubs finishing in second and third position in the stronger leagues of each zone. Prior to the 2002–03 season, the tournament was named the Asian Club Championship.[1] Originally, only the champions of their respective national league and the defending champion of the competition were allowed to participate. However, this was changed in 2002 to allow the national cup winners to compete as well. In 2024, the competition rebranded again, and was renamed as the AFC Champions League Elite.

Al-Hilal hold the record for the most victories, with four wins since the competition's inception. Thai Farmers Bank, Pohang Steelers, Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Al-Ittihad are the four teams that have won the competition consecutively. Al-Hilal has contested the most finals, nine, winning four and losing five, while Al-Ahli, Yokohama F. Marinos, FC Seoul and Persepolis are the only four clubs to reach the finals more than once without winning. Overall, 24 clubs have won the competition since its inception in 1967. Clubs from South Korea have won the most titles with twelve. Japanese clubs are second with eight, and Saudi Arabian clubs are third with six wins. The current champions are Al Ain, who beat Yokohama F. Marinos 6–3 on aggregate in the 2023–24 edition.

List of finals

Key
width=40px align=center style="background-color:#FBCEB1"Finals not played
Ties decided on away goals
width=40px align=center style="background-color:#D0F0C0"Matches won after extra time
width=40px align=center style="background-color:#CEDFF2"Matches decided on penalties
Asian Champion Club Tournament era (1967–1972)
YearWinnersScoreRunners-upVenueAttendance
1967Hapoel Tel Aviv 2–1 SelangorSupachalasai National Stadium, Bangkok
1969Maccabi Tel Aviv align=center bgcolor=D0F0C01–0 Yangzee FCSupachalasai National Stadium, Bangkok
1970Taj Tehran 2–1 Hapoel Tel AvivAmjadieh Stadium, Tehran35,000[3]
1971Maccabi Tel Aviv align=center bgcolor=#FBCEB1w/o Aliyat Al-ShortaSupachalasai National Stadium, Bangkok
1972Cancelled
Asian Club Championship era (1985–2002)
1985–86Daewoo Royals align=center bgcolor=D0F0C03–1 Al-AhliAbdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah
1986Furukawa Electric RR Al-HilalN/A
YearHome teamScoreAway teamVenueAttendance
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center1987w/o Yomiuri FCFaisal bin Fahd Stadium, RiyadhN/A
Yomiuri FC w/o Al-HilalAjinomoto Field Nishigaoka, TokyoN/A
Yomiuri FC won the title.#
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center1988–89Al-Rasheed 3–2 Al-SaddAl-Shaab Stadium, Baghdad10,000
Al-Sadd 1–0 Al-RasheedJassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha5,000
Al-Sadd won 3–3 on away goals.
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center1989–90Nissan Yokohama FC 1–2 LiaoningMitsuzawa Stadium, Yokohama
Liaoning 1–1 Nissan Yokohama FCTiexi New District Sports Center, Shenyang
Liaoning won 3–2 on aggregate.
YearWinnersScoreRunners-upVenueAttendance
1990–91Esteghlal 2–1 LiaoningBangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka
1991align=center bgcolor=cedff21–1* EsteghlalKhalifa International Stadium, Doha
1992–93PAS Tehran 1–0 Al-ShababAl Ahli Stadium, Manama
1993–94Thai Farmers Bank 2–1 Oman ClubSupachalasai National Stadium, Bangkok
1994–95Thai Farmers Bank 1–0 Al-ArabiSupachalasai National Stadium, Bangkok
1995Ilhwa Chunma align=center bgcolor=D0F0C01–0 Al-NassrKing Fahd Stadium, Riyadh
1996–97Pohang Steelers align=center bgcolor=D0F0C02–1 Cheonan Ilhwa ChunmaBukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur
Pohang Steelers align=center bgcolor=cedff20–0* Dalian WandaHong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong
1998–99Júbilo Iwata 2–1 EsteghlalAzadi Stadium, Tehran121,000[4]
1999–2000align=center bgcolor=D0F0C03–2 Júbilo IwataKing Fahd Stadium, Riyadh40,000
2000–01Suwon Samsung Bluewings 1–0 Júbilo IwataSuwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon
2001–02Suwon Samsung Bluewings align=center bgcolor=cedff20–0* Anyang LG CheetahsAzadi Stadium, Tehran
AFC Champions League era (2002–2024)
YearHome teamScoreAway teamVenueAttendance
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center2002–032–0 BEC Tero SasanaTahnoun Bin Mohamed Stadium, Al Ain
BEC Tero Sasana 1–0 Al AinRajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
Al Ain won 2–1 on aggregate.
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center20041–3 Seongnam Ilhwa ChunmaAbdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 0–5 Al-IttihadSeongnam Stadium, Seongnam
Al-Ittihad won 6–3 on aggregate.
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center20051–1 Al-IttihadTahnoun Bin Mohamed Stadium, Al Ain
4–2 Al AinAbdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah
Al-Ittihad won 5–3 on aggregate.
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center2006Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2–0 Al-KaramahJeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju25,830
Al-Karamah 2–1 Jeonbuk Hyundai MotorsKhaled bin Walid Stadium, Homs40,000
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors won 3–2 on aggregate.
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center2007Sepahan 1–1 Urawa Red DiamondsFoolad Shahr Stadium, Fuladshahr30,000
Urawa Red Diamonds 2–0 SepahanSaitama Stadium 2002, Saitama59,034
Urawa Red Diamonds won 3–1 on aggregate.
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center2008Gamba Osaka 3–0 Adelaide UnitedOsaka Expo '70 Stadium, Suita, Osaka21,000[5]
Adelaide United 0–2 Gamba OsakaHindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide17,000[6]
Gamba Osaka won 5–0 on aggregate.
YearWinnersScoreRunners-upVenueAttendance
2009Pohang Steelers 2–1 Al-IttihadNational Stadium, Tokyo25,743[7]
2010Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 3–1 Zob AhanNational Stadium, Tokyo27,308[8]
2011Al-Sadd align=center bgcolor=cedff2 Jeonbuk Hyundai MotorsJeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju41,805[9]
2012Ulsan Hyundai 3–0 Al-AhliUlsan Munsu Football Stadium, Ulsan42,153[10]
YearHome teamScoreAway teamVenueAttendance
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center2013FC Seoul 2–2 Guangzhou EvergrandeSeoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul55,501[11]
Guangzhou Evergrande 1–1 FC SeoulTianhe Stadium, Guangzhou55,847[12]
3–3 on aggregate, Guangzhou Evergrande won on away goals.
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center20141–0 Al-HilalParramatta Stadium, Sydney20,053[13]
0–0 Western Sydney WanderersKing Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh66,225[14]
Western Sydney Wanderers won 1–0 on aggregate.
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center20150–0 Guangzhou EvergrandeAl-Rashid Stadium, Dubai9,480[15]
Guangzhou Evergrande 1–0 Al-AhliTianhe Stadium, Guangzhou42,499[16]
Guangzhou Evergrande won 1–0 on aggregate.
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center2016Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2–1 Al AinJeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju36,158[17]
1–1 Jeonbuk Hyundai MotorsHazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain23,239[18]
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors won 3–2 on aggregate.
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center20171–1 Urawa Red DiamondsKing Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh59,136[19]
Urawa Red Diamonds 1–0 Al-HilalSaitama Stadium 2002, Saitama57,727[20]
Urawa Red Diamonds won 2–1 on aggregate.
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center2018Kashima Antlers 2–0 PersepolisKashima Soccer Stadium, Kashima35,022[21]
Persepolis 0–0 Kashima AntlersAzadi Stadium, Tehran100,000[22] [23]
Kashima Antlers won 2–0 on aggregate.
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center20191–0 Urawa Red DiamondsKing Saud University Stadium, Riyadh22,549[24]
Urawa Red Diamonds 0–2 Al-HilalSaitama Stadium 2002, Saitama58,109[25]
Al-Hilal won 3–0 on aggregate.
YearWinnersScoreRunners-upVenueAttendance
2020Ulsan Hyundai 2–1 PersepolisAl Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah8,517[26]
20212–0 Pohang SteelersKing Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh50,171[27]
YearHome teamScoreAway teamVenueAttendance
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center20221–1 Urawa Red DiamondsKing Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh50,881[28]
Urawa Red Diamonds 1–0 Al-HilalSaitama Stadium 2002, Saitama53,574[29]
Urawa Red Diamonds won 2–1 on aggregate.
scope=row rowspan=3 style=text-align:center2023–24Yokohama F. Marinos 2–1 Al AinNissan Stadium, Yokohama53,704[30]
5–1 Yokohama F. MarinosHazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain24,826[31]
Al Ain won 6–3 on aggregate.

Performances

By nation

See also

Notes

A.  The final was scratched and Maccabi Tel Aviv were awarded the championship after Aliyat Al-Shorta refused to play the Israeli side for political reasons.[32]

B.  The championship was decided in a final group round-robin of four teams.

C.  The final was scratched and Yomiuri FC were awarded the championship as Al-Hilal was unable to field a team after several of their starting players were selected for the Saudi national team's preparation camp, which clashed with the first leg.[33]

D.  Score was 1–1 after 90 minutes and extra time. Al-Hilal won the penalty-shootout 4–3.[34]

E.  Score was 0–0 after 90 minutes and extra time. Pohang Steelers won the penalty-shootout 6–5.[35]

F.  Score was 0–0 after 90 minutes and extra time. Suwon Samsung Bluewings won the penalty-shootout 4–2.[36]

G.  Score was 2–2 after 90 minutes and extra time. Al-Sadd won the penalty-shootout 4–2.[37]

Notes and References

  1. News: AFC Champions League: The drama, the glory..... the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 17 February 2015. 22 April 2016.
  2. News: AFC Champions League Official Programme. the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130227160420/http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-champions-league.html . 27 February 2013.
  3. Web site: احمدی . مهدی . روایتی جذاب از اولین قهرمانی تاج در آسیا/ آقایی در قاره کهن با شکست غولی به نام هاپوئل! . 14 September 2022. استقلال نیوز . fa-ir.
  4. Web site: رکورد بیشترین تعداد تماشاگر بازی‌های باشگاهی آسیا همچنان در اختیار استقلال . yjc.news . 14 September 2022 . fa.
  5. Web site: Gamba Osaka – Adelaide United 3:0 (AFC Champions League 2008, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  6. Web site: Adelaide United – Gamba Osaka 0:2 (AFC Champions League 2008, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022.
  7. Web site: Al Ittihad – Pohang Steelers 1:2 (AFC Champions League 2009, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  8. Web site: Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma – FC Zob Ahan 3:1 (AFC Champions League 2010, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  9. Web site: Jeonbuk FC – Al Sadd 2:4 (AFC Champions League 2011, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  10. Web site: Ulsan Hyundai – Al Ahli SFC 3:0 (AFC Champions League 2012, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  11. Web site: FC Seoul – Guangzhou Evergrande 2:2 (AFC Champions League 2013, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  12. Web site: Guangzhou Evergrande – FC Seoul 1:1 (AFC Champions League 2013, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  13. Web site: Western Sydney Wanderers – Al Hilal 1:0 (AFC Champions League 2014, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  14. Web site: Al Hilal – Western Sydney Wanderers 0:0 (AFC Champions League 2014, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  15. Web site: Al Ahli Dubai – Guangzhou Evergrande 0:0 (AFC Champions League 2015, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  16. Web site: Guangzhou Evergrande – Al Ahli Dubai 1:0 (AFC Champions League 2015, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  17. Web site: Jeonbuk FC – Al Ain FC 2:1 (AFC Champions League 2016, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  18. Web site: Al Ain FC – Jeonbuk FC 1:1 (AFC Champions League 2016, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  19. Web site: Al Hilal – Urawa Red Diamonds 1:1 (AFC Champions League 2017, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  20. Web site: Urawa Red Diamonds – Al Hilal 1:0 (AFC Champions League 2017, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  21. Web site: Kashima Antlers – Persepolis 2:0 (AFC Champions League 2018, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  22. Web site: Persepolis – Kashima Antlers 0:0 (AFC Champions League 2018, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  23. Web site: Match Report of Persepolis FC vs Kashima Antlers . globalsportsarchive.com . 14 September 2022.
  24. Web site: Al Hilal – Urawa Red Diamonds 1:0 (AFC Champions League 2019, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  25. Web site: Urawa Red Diamonds – Al Hilal 0:2 (AFC Champions League 2019, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  26. Web site: Persepolis – Ulsan Hyundai 1:2 (AFC Champions League 2020, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  27. Web site: Al Hilal – Pohang Steelers 2:0 (AFC Champions League 2021, Final) . worldfootball.net . 14 September 2022 . en.
  28. Web site: Final – 1st Leg: Urawa Reds fight back to hold Al Hilal . the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 29 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230429221833/https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/news/final_-_1st_leg_urawa_reds_fight_back_to_hold_al_hilal.html . 29 April 2023 . en . 29 April 2023.
  29. Web site: Urawa Reds edge Al Hilal for historic third title . the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 6 May 2023 . en . 6 May 2023.
  30. Web site: Yokohama F. Marinos – Al Ain FC 2:1 (AFC Champions League 2023/2024, Final) . worldfootball.net . 27 May 2024 . en.
  31. Web site: Al Ain FC – Yokohama F. Marinos 5:1 (AFC Champions League 2023/2024, Final) . worldfootball.net . 27 May 2024 . en . 26 May 2024.
  32. Web site: Champions' Cup 1971. RSSSF. 26 December 2000. 22 April 2016.
  33. Web site: الزعيم تاريخ عريق من الانتصارات الآسيوية. https://web.archive.org/web/20200411090739/http://www.al-jazirah.com/2001/20010307/sp6.htm. 11 April 2020. al-jazirah.com. Arabic. 7 March 2001. 22 April 2016.
  34. Web site: Champions' Cup 1991/92. RSSSF. 2 August 2004. 22 April 2016.
  35. Web site: Champions' Cup 1997/98. RSSSF. 16 October 2014. 22 April 2016.
  36. Web site: Champions' Cup 2001/02. RSSSF. 17 March 2016. 22 April 2016.
  37. Web site: Going the distance: A look back at the 2011 ACL final. the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 3 November 2015. 22 April 2016.