Afc Champions League 2018 Technical Report PDF
Afc Champions League 2018 Technical Report PDF
(IRN)
1937
GROUP B
Al Wahda logo - UAE
GROUP E
GROUP F
GROUP G
GROUP H
Suwon Blue Wings logo - KOR
2
AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2018
TECHNICAL REPORT AND STATISTICS
08 26
TECHNICAL TOPICS GOALSCORING ANALYSIS
30 38
TALKING POINTS TEAM PROFILES
42 46
COMPETITION RESULTS REFEREES
112 120
STAR SELECTION BEST GOALS
124 130
PREVIOUS WINNERS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
134 143
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Foreword by the
AFC PRESIDENT
I am delighted to be presenting the AFC Technical Report We must also thank our competing teams and Member
for the AFC Champions League 2018 – a tournament which Associations because without their commitment to
continues to break records as it becomes firmly established excellence the club game in Asia would not be developing
as one of the world’s leading continental club competitions. so rapidly and this report will reflect some of the technical
innovations in the competition.
Those who were privileged to be in the Azadi Stadium in
Tehran in November were part of the biggest ever crowd for This report will not only record the performances of the sides
an AFC Champions League watching on as Japan’s Kashima who brought colour, passion and skill to the tournament but
Antlers held off the strong challenge of Persepolis from the also the latest technical trends and highlight areas in which
Islamic Republic of Iran. football in Asia continues to improve.
It was a memorable occasion for Asian football and the two- I am grateful to AFC Technical Committee, AFC Technical
legged final – won 2-0 on aggregate by Kashima Antlers – Director Andy Roxburgh, his Technical Department and
shattered the record crowd for the final of 116,800 set the the Technical Study Group for the hours they have spent
previous year when Urawa Red Diamonds overcame Al Hilal. watching games, analysing videos and identifying trends.
This is a valuable record of another memorable season.
In 2018 the two-legged final was watched not only by the
135,022 fans in the two stadiums but also the many millions
on television and social media. The AFC also honoured its
commitment to developing its competitions by increasing
prize money for the tournament to USD$4m for the winners
Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa
and USD$2m for the runners-up. AFC President
The AFC Champions League’s qualifying They were joined from West Asia by FC
phase featured 22 clubs from 19 Member Nasaf from Uzbekistan who beat Jordan’s
Associations competing to secure the Al Faisaly 5-1, as well as Zobahan FC after
final eight places in the competition’s two late Morteza Tabrizi goals ensured a
group stage where they would join the 3-1 win over India’s Aizawl FC for the side
24 sides that had qualified automatically. from the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In the first Preliminary Round, Philippines
powerhouse Ceres Negros FC held their Also successful were 2003 title winners
nerve to beat Myanmar’s Shan United Al Ain, the Emiratis beating Bahrain’s
FC on penalties, while Indonesia’s Bali Malkiya Club 2-0 to go through, and
United FC also progressed thanks to Al Gharafa from Qatar who edged
a 3-1 win over Tampines Rovers from Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor 2-1 to guarantee
Singapore. themselves an eighth group stage outing.
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Competition Overview
12
GROUP STAGE - WEST
spare courtesy of Server Djeparov’s
deflected early opener and a second-
half Vouria Ghafouri penalty in a
2-0 defeat of Al Rayyan at Tehran’s
imposing Azadi Stadium.
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GROUP STAGE - EAST
GROUP F Former Chelsea favourite Oscar also That defeat was, nevertheless, only
The fine form of Brazilian imports played a major role in SIPG’s success. Melbourne’s second in the group
Oscar and Elkeson proved decisive as The dynamic midfielder scored four stage, and, under the wily guidance of
China PR’s Shanghai SIPG held off the goals in five group stage appearances, head coach Kevin Muscat, they duly
combined challenge of Ulsan Hyundai a respectable tally which included a concluded their sixth AFC Champions
FC and Melbourne Victory to finish as brace when SIPG shared the spoils League outing with a notable win over
winners of Group F and, in the process, with Ulsan following a 2-2 thriller on SIPG that helped them finish third.
confirm a third successive appearance Matchday Three.
in the Round of 16 since making their Fourth-placed Kawasaki also finished
continental debut in 2016. Ulsan went on to lose at home to their on a relative high, with goals from
Chinese rivals just six days later, before Yuto Suzuki and Tatsuya Hasegawa
Despite rounding off their campaign sealing their place in the knockout securing the Japanese outfit’s third
with a 2-1 loss to Melbourne in rounds with an empathic thumping of point of what was ultimately though a
Australia, SIPG assured themselves Melbourne on Matchday Five. disappointing campaign in a 2-2 home
of pole position on Matchday Five draw with Ulsan.
when Elkeson, after seeing Hulk miss Both sides had gone into the game
a 22nd minute penalty, scored his third at the Munsu Football Stadium in
goal of the competition in a 1-1 draw Ulsan knowing a win was vital, with
with Japanese champions Kawasaki Melbourne needing all three points to
Frontale at Shanghai Stadium. keep their Round of 16 hopes alive and
the hosts requiring one more victory to
Whilst the result represented the confirm their progress.
second time SIPG had dropped points
at home in the 2018 AFC Champions It was, however, to be Ulsan who
League, it was enough to ensure reigned supreme on home soil as Junior
second-placed Ulsan could not replace Negrao and Mislav Orsic notched two
the Chinese Super League side at the goals apiece in a comprehensive 6-2
top of the standings with one round of win that fired Kim Do-hoon’s side into
matches to go. the next phase in some style.
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out to be a vital 2-0 loss at Buriram phase in three seasons, while for The Chinese Super League side’s
on Matchday Three as they failed Damjanovic, who had previously inability to pick up a win – they
to repeat their run to the quarter- featured in the competition for FC recorded five draws and a defeat in
finals in 2014, while Jeju finished Seoul and Beijing Guoan, his exploits their six matches – ultimately proved
rock-bottom to complete what was took him to within four strikes of Lee to be the undoing of Wu Jingui and
a far from memorable third AFC Dong-gook’s all-time AFC Champions his team who had been hoping to
Champions League appearance. League goalscoring record of 36. reach the Round of 16 for the first
time since qualifying for the quarter-
GROUP H Despite their narrow defeat on the finals in 2006.
final round of fixtures, Kashima’s
Dejan Damjanovic’s fine form on results throughout the campaign Sydney, competing in their fourth
the continental stage showed – most notably wins at Suwon and AFC Champions League group
no sign of abating as the prolific Sydney – had proved enough for Go stage, finished last, although there
Montenegrin netted five times to help Oiwa’s side to progress with a game were several bright moments for the
Korea Republic’s Suwon Samsung to spare as an impressive second- Australians, not least when they put
Bluewings finish first in Group H, half revival earned them a 2-2 draw four past Suwon in a stunning 4-1 win
one point ahead of second-placed against Shanghai on Matchday Five away from home on Matchday Five.
Kashima Antlers. and a berth in the knockout rounds.
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ROUND OF 16 - EAST
ESTEGHLAL vs AL SADD
Dynamic frontman Baghdad Bounedjah Boualem Khoukhi’s header to slip past break gave Esteghlal a glimmer of hope.
and midfielder Akram Afif both played him to gift the hosts an opener within the
starring roles as Al Sadd overcame first quarter of an hour. However, Persepolis defender Rouzbeh
Esteghlal to reach the semi-finals for Cheshmi was then dismissed for a second
the first time since they were crowned With one foot in the last four, Afif opened bookable offence, and with Al Sadd
champions in 2011. the scoring in the return encounter controlling the remainder of the game,
following a fine run and finish past the Qataris were awarded a penalty deep
Bounedjah’s brace – which included Esteghlal goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmati into added time after Rahmati hauled
a second-half penalty – along with an midway through the first half. down Afif inside the box.
Akram Afif strike saw Al Sadd seal a 3-1
first leg win at the Azadi Stadium. The Winfried Schäfer’s side rallied Tournament top scorer Bounedjah duly
victory was achieved even though they impressively after the early setback converted his 12th goal of the campaign
went behind in Tehran when goalkeeper though, as goals from Rouhollah Bagheri to confirm his side’s place in the semi-
Meshaal Aissa inexplicably allowed and Morteza Tabrizi either side of the finals.
AL DUHAIL vs PERSEPOLIS
Persepolis qualified for the last four after leg header helped Al Duhail secure a 1-0 with a fine half-volley on 57 minutes,
becoming the first side to beat Al Duhail win in Doha and match Ulsan Hyundai before Al Duhail’s Sultan Al Brake – under
in this season’s competition, success Motors’ record of nine consecutive AFC pressure from Bashar Resan following Ali
which saw them edge past their rivals Champions League victories. Alipour’s cross – steered the ball into his
from Qatar 3-2 on aggregate. own net.
Worse was to come for Persepolis shortly
Godwin Mensha’s late goal in the after the half-hour mark of the second leg, With momentum clearly on their side,
Azadi Stadium’s white-hot atmosphere defender Shojae Khalilzadeh’s attempted Persepolis added a crucial third in the
ultimately proved the difference as clearance of Murad Naji’s free-kick 78th minute when Mensha latched onto
Persepolis reach the semi-finals for a bouncing off Karim Boudiaf and over the a long ball from Alireza Beiranvand,
second successive campaign. line to give Al Duhail a crucial away goal. shrugged off his marker and rounded
goalkeeper Amine Lecomte to settle the
The Iranians did not, however, have Not to be outdone, Persepolis responded tie.
things all their way, as Almoez Ali’s first- through captain Jalal Hossein who scored
20
KASHIMA ANTLERS vs TIANJIN QUANJIAN
Japan’s Kashima Antlers secured their Clearly aware of the size of the task that Atsuto Uchida then cleared a Pato volley
first-ever semi-final appearance as lay ahead, Tianjin began the second leg off the line, before, just two minutes later,
successive wins helped them breeze brightly, with Alexandre Pato directing a racing down the right wing and expertly
past Tianjin Quanjian courtesy of a 5-0 close-range attempt straight at a relieved finding Hiroki Abe who converted Antlers’
aggregate success. Kwoun Sun-Tae after only three minutes second via a hefty deflection off Kwon
at the Macau Olympic Stadium. Kyung-won.
Playing hosts in the first leg, Kashima’s
early profligacy was quickly forgotten However, within 10 minutes it was to be Substitute Shoma Doi made it three in the
when Leo Silva’s sweetly struck effort on Kashima who opened the scoring instead, 66th minute as Kashima, who qualified for
60 minutes gave his side the lead, before Serginho – a summer signing from the semi-finals of the Asian Cup Winners’
Serginho’s thunderbolt from distance Brazilian outfit Santos – nodding home Cup back in 1999, advanced with relative
handed Go Oiwa’s charges a welcome a Yasushi Endo corner from in front of ease.
cushion to take into the return tie. Tianjin goalkeeper Zhang Lu.
AL SADD SC vs PERSEPOLIS FC
1-2 on aggregate
Persepolis created history by reaching Little changed in the second half, took the penalty himself and made no
their first-ever AFC Champions League with tournament top scorer Baghdad mistake to hand the Iranians a crucial
final following a 1-1 draw with Al Sadd Bounedjah kept quiet by a resolute advantage ahead of the return fixture.
in the second leg of their semi-final Persepolis backline marshalled Now needing to score, it was Al Sadd
clash. superbly by captain Jalal Hosseini. who pressed from the start of the
second leg, as a capacity crowd at
Siamac Nemati’s second-half goal The stalemate remained until the 86th Tehran’s Azadi Stadium watched on.
secured a 2-1 aggregate win for the minute, when Persepolis finally broke
hosts and a place in the continental the deadlock against the run of play. After seeing an early Abdelkarim
showpiece – the first by an Iranian side After a quick counter-attack, Al Sadd Hassan smartly saved by Beiranvand,
since Zobahan appeared in 2010. custodian Saad Al Sheeb brought Al Sadd went ahead – and levelled
down Alipour in the box. The striker the aggregate score – on 17 minutes.
A 1-0 first leg triumph undoubtedly Once again it was Bounedjah who
laid the foundations for the success, was on target, this time the Algerian
with Ali Alipour’s late penalty proving striker seizing on hesitant Persepolis
crucial to the eventual outcome of defending to find the net with aplomb.
what proved to be an intriguing last Trailing at half-time, Persepolis drew
four tie. level in the 49th minute when Nemati
volleyed in Godwin Mensha’s cross to
The opening encounter at Al Sadd’s make it 1-1 and put his side back in
Jassim bin Hamad Stadium home front on aggregate.
began with an air of caution, although
Persepolis could, and probably should, Al Sadd struggled to make inroads
have gone ahead on 18 minutes when after Nemati’s strike, and they
Godwin Mensha skied Bashar Resan’s could have gone further behind had
cross over the bar. custodian Meshaal Aissa not denied
Alipour with a point-blank save shortly
Al Sadd came close to taking the lead after the hour mark.
themselves just two minutes before
the break, Akram Afif’s drive forcing In the last genuine chance of a
a fine stop from goalkeeper Alireza pulsating match, Beiranvand produced
Beiranvand. a stunning reflex save from Xavi’s late
header to ensure Persepolis’ progress
much to the delight of the home fans.
22
KASHIMA ANTLERS vs SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS
6-5 on aggregate
Kashima Antlers produced two two-goal lead in the 65th minute,
stunning comebacks to book their but Kwoun scrambled to push out Im
place in the final thanks to a 6-5 Sang-hyeob’s overhead kick.
aggregate win over Suwon Samsung
Bluewings. However, with six minutes remaining,
Kashima restored parity when
The Japanese side twice dug deep substitute Daigo Nishi sent in a low
to overcome their Korea Republic cross from the right which Serginho
opponents as heroic performances in stroked home at the far post.
both legs ensured a debut appearance
in the title showdown. Koki Anzai then rattled the bar with
a fierce drive on 87 minutes, before
In a sign of the drama to come, there Uchida reacted quickest to score with
was a sensational start to the first leg a deflected effort following a free-kick
in Kashima, as Suwon took the lead and secure a remarkable 3-2 victory Sensing another, Suwon duly seized
in the second minute through Atsuto for Kashima. the initiative as first Jo Sung-jin
Uchida’s own goal. powered home a header and then
The second leg was to prove no less Damjanovic found the net to make it
Incredibly, it was 2-0 to the visitors enthralling as, once again, Go Oiwa’s 3-1 to Suwon on the hour mark.
just four minutes later. A poor charges came back from the brink to
defensive clearance saw the ball fall to emerge victorious. Elvis Saric missed by inches two
Dejan Damjanovic who beat Kashima minutes later, and he was made to
goalkeeper Kwoun Sun-tae from a Shuto Yamamoto opened the scoring pay for that error on 64 minutes when
narrow angle. for Kashima at the Suwon World Cup Nishi’s strike went in off an upright to
Stadium, the defender heading home reduce the deficit even further.
Not to be outdone, the hosts hit back Serginho’s 25th minute free-kick from
in the 21st minute with another own wide on the right. That set the stage for Serginho to
goal, this time Jang Ho-ik heading into make it four goals from four AFC
his own net under pressure from Yuma Up against it, Suwon started the Champions League appearances with
Suzuki. second half brightly and they pulled eight minutes to play, as he lashed
level in the 52nd minute when Im home a loose ball in the area to seal
After a scrappy start to the second converted a rebound after Kwoun had a 3-3 draw and maintain Kashima’s
period, Suwon almost regained their saved Yeom Ki-hun’s initial header. continental aspirations.
The Azadi Stadium was dressed up In reaching the final, that incredible it was the Iranian club who started the
as never before as Persepolis FC, the home support had helped Persepolis brighter and had two big chances to
Government of the Islamic Republic of throughout the competition as they take the lead.
Iran and the Football Federation Islamic won their three group stages matches,
Republic of Iran left no stone unturned overcame first leg deficits in both the The first genuine opportunity fell to the
to ensure the return leg of the 2018 Round of 16 and the quarter-finals, and visitors when a cross from the right was
AFC Champions League final against recovered from being 1-0 down to hold nodded into the path of Ali Alipour in
Kashima Antlers was one to remember. Al Sadd 1-1 in the second leg of the semi- the fourth minute. Just eight yards from
finals to advance 2-1 on aggregate. goal, the striker looked certain to score
A record-breaking crowd of 100,000, but Jung Seung-hyun threw himself
including more than 1,000 Iranian Kashima, though, were also chasing a into the path of the shot and blocked it
female fans and 250 Kashima momentous achievement, as they too with his head.
supporters who had made the long trip had never lifted the coveted trophy
from Japan, filled the Azadi Stadium and doing it in Tehran would have Two minutes later, Ahmad Noorollahi’s
to the brim, adding more lustre to an guaranteed a 20th major trophy for the free-kick from the left was tipped over
already iconic venue. Japanese outfit. by Kwoun Sun-tae as Persepolis applied
early pressure.
Such was the demand too see the game, The fact that Persepolis had lost the
the online ticketing site crashed after first leg only a week before appeared A pep talk at half-time, during which
just minutes as more than 1.2 million not to faze the fans, especially as their Kashima head coach Go Oiwa stressed
Persepolis fans tried to assure their club had – for large parts – held their to his players that they had played
attendance for what they hoped would own against Kashima Antlers and had without their usual intensity during
be a part of history - their beloved club been unlucky not to score, at the very the first period, had the desired result.
had never won the AFC Champions least, one away goal. Kashima were a different side when they
League and they undoubtedly wanted emerged for the second 45 minutes.
to live up to their reputation as being Despite the Kashima Soccer Stadium
the Iranian club’s 12th man. being packed with 35,022, of which only Oiwa’s charges created the first chance
about 100 were Persepolis supporters, of the second half when Hiroki Abe
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instigated a move that ended with Oiwa had praised his team’s second the visitors’ solid backline.
Serginho laying the ball back for fellow half performance in the first leg, one he
Brazilian Leo Silva, who tried to curl a described as the ideal display, where With Persepolis needing a goal to
shot into the top corner, but his attempt solidity in defence was complemented reduce the deficit and to have any
drifted wide. by excellence in the final third. It was, chance of becoming continental
though, a different Kashima in the champions, Alipour saw his volleyed
Silva, however, soon had reason to return leg. effort shortly after the hour fly wide,
celebrate as he gave Kashima the lead before Ivankovic made two changes,
in the 58th minute. The midfield man Persepolis dominated, and the match bringing on Mohsen Rabiekhah and
played a neat one-two with Shoma stats would ultimately show they had Ehsan Alvanzadeh in the hope of a
on the edge of the Persepolis penalty 62 percent of the possession, with six breakthrough.
area and cut inside before curling a low
left-footed shot into the corner from 18
yards.
All Systems Go
He lost his voice but won the title. Go Oiwa was happy
with that. After the goalless draw at the Azadi Stadium
in Tehran that earned a historic first AFC Champions
League win for Kashima Antlers, he was quick to heap
praise on his Iranian opponents. “Persepolis were the
strongest team we played in the Champions League
this year,” he said. “Not just the team and their tactics
but also their fans, who were magnificent. It was a
very tough game but my players were very mobile;
they battled well; and I am delighted with the result. I
lost my voice, but it was worth it.”
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“ It was a very tough game but
my players were very mobile;
they battled well; and I am
delighted with the result. I lost
my voice, but it was worth it.
-Go Oiwa ”
“This edition of the AFC Champions are positive, how best to do it. If the club’s campaign, added “it’s about
League, with the games at the top end dictionary definition is correct in players who have a well-developed
of the competition coming so soon pointing to ‘experience and knowledge’, understanding of spaces and timing
after the World Cup, provoked a lot of it immediately leads into one of the along with the ability to make quick
reflections about the qualities teams AFC Champions League’s perennial decisions. I would say that the biggest
need to compete at elite level,” mused talking points about extending difference between the elite teams in
AFC technical director Andy Roxburgh. contacts between clubs in the East and Asia and Europe, or even South America,
“And, among other things, the top teams West Zones. In terms of international is not so much technique as this sort of
in the Champions League illustrated the experience, it may be significant that, understanding and game appreciation.
value of being streetwise.” at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, only 11% We see that in the Asian competition
of the squad members in Russia were it is so often the foreign players’ know-
The dictionary definition of the word playing their football in AFC leagues, how that makes the difference.” He
‘streetwise’ is “having the experience with 30 of them – more than one-third cites Pato as an example. After the
and knowledge necessary to deal with of the total of 82 – at clubs in the Saudi away leg of the quarter-final against the
the potential difficulties or dangers of League. eventual champions Kashima Antlers,
life”. As Andy Roxburgh elaborates, the the AFC technical observer praised his
translation into footballing parlance Understanding the difference “great skills with pace and vision, not
touches on various aspects of the In the opinion of Sydney FC coach only with penetrating solo runs but
‘experience and knowledge’ which, Steve Corica, in the development also delivering the ball to team-mates
allied with talent and technical ability, of the streetwise elite player “game at exactly the right moment.” “Maybe
can make the difference at the peak of understanding is the key. That is what more importantly,” Paulo Sousa adds,
the football pyramid. we have to work the most on. And, “he gels the team together tactically.”
the better the player, the smaller the This dovetails with observations made
The debating point for coaches is to amount of information you need to in reports on previous seasons, when
what extent players can be educated in give him.” Paulo Sousa, the coach at tactical compactness and the ability
street wisdom, if at all. And, if responses Tianjin Quanjian during the Chinese to sustain high-intensity football were
32
highlighted as issues to be addressed words were still valid in 2018 as, in after regains at the back. They provided
within the Asian game. addition to his repertoire of defensive a classic example during the home leg
skills, he displayed streetwise qualities of the quarter-final against Al Duhail,
Kashima Antlers owed much of their of awareness, anticipation and ability to when goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand
success to streetwise players in each stay within the limits. was credited with the assist for the goal
department. Serginho, like Pato, which clinched a 3-1 win. Striker Godwin
gelled the team’s middle-to-front play. Transition period Mensha latched on to his long ball and
Léo Silva played the role so adeptly The final was disputed by two teams ran through to score.
performed by Ngolo Kanté for France who illustrated the general norm
at the World Cup: all-action displays, by pressurising the ball-carrier but During the 2018 season, 35 goals
ubiquitous presence; and a key figure in dropping quickly into a defensive could clearly be attributed to fast
the team’s transition play as the trigger- block that concentrated ball-winning counterattacking – a figure that
man for collective moment. When he efforts into the midfield or defensive- represents 13% of the goals scored in
won the ball, he would immediately third areas. Suwong Bluewings were open play. Just over half of the successes
initiate an attack and support it with among the few who adopted sustained (18) could be described as collective
a forward run. The three examples, of high counter-pressing techniques to counters with players swarming quickly
course, are Brazilian – which illustrates pre-empt opposition counterattacks forward. A prime example was provided
once again that, as in previous seasons, with regains in advanced areas. High in the closing minutes of the Group G
decisive roles (and goalscoring) are pressing was occasionally used as an game between Guangzhou Evergrande
dominated by players who have brought emergency response to an adverse and Jeju United, when Ricardo Goulart’s
their footballing wisdom from the street scoreline, but the general scarcity strike clinched a 5-3 victory. Most
football played in Brazil. emerged as one of the debating points of the remainder (13) fell into the
of the season. The issue is evidently classic counterattacking category, an
At the back, it was a slightly different linked with the mechanisms of teams’ outstanding illustration being the 78th-
story. Or maybe not. “Was it coincidence attacking play. Persepolis, for example, minute break culminated by Al-Ain’s
that, in the final, both team sheets rarely committed more than four players Swedish striker Markus Berg that sealed
featured centre-backs from the Korea to advanced areas and were therefore a 1-4 away victory over Al-Rayyan in
Republic? The champions’ Kim Young short of manpower when it came to the Group D. Only four goals could be
Gwon and Al-Ahli’s Kwon Kyung Won feasibility of high collective pressing. attributed to lightning-fast responses
were the pillars of their teams’ defensive Conditioning factors could also include to ball-winning in advanced areas.
play. Those responsible for educating climatic factors or the fact that some
centre-backs at youth development teams went into the crucial knockout Back to front
levels might well regard them as games very early in their domestic Beiranvand and his accomplices in
benchmarks in terms of power, strength, seasons and arguably felt that there the Persepolis defensive unit kept
uncompromising tackling, aerial power was not enough fuel in the tank to cope seven (of the total of 63) clean sheets
and reliability.” The comment is culled with a high-energy strategy. during the competition. Iran’s World
from the first technical report on the Cup goalkeeper was one of many
AFC Champions League in 2015 – and Persepolis also exemplified the tendency who warranted credit for their shot-
Kashima Antlers centre-back Jung towards direct counterattacking based stopping abilities, among them the
Seung-Hyun demonstrated that the on immediate back-to-front passing Suwon Bluewings keeper Shin Hwa-
34
quality of their crossing and their ability
to find a balance between attack and
defensive priorities. As Carlos Alberto
Parreira remarked at the World Cup, “I
still subscribe to the idea that full-backs
are, first and foremost, defenders.”
Rebound mentalities
Among the qualities of streetwise
players and teams is the ability to
find positive responses to adverse
situations. The season provided various
examples, among them the champions’
mental strength during the semi-final
against Suwon Bluewings when they
recovered from going 0-2 behind within
the first six minutes of their home leg
to win 3-2; and then to rebound from
a 1-3 deficit during the last half-hour
of the return leg to draw 3-3. Jeonbuk
Motors, in the quarter-final, bounced
back from a 0-3 home defeat to record
a 0-3 win in the away leg against Suwon
Bluewings – and would probably have
won the tie had the Suwon keeper
not saved a late penalty. Al Sadd
showed similar fortitude when they
visited Esteghlal in the quarter-finals.
The Qatari team were in possession
when a midfielder opted to loft the
ball back into his penalty area, where
the centre-back’s header eluded the
goalkeeper and, amid jubilation among
a 78,116 crowd in Tehran, put the home
team ahead. Despite this example of
the unexpected cruelties of football,
to the Qatari team’s combination play key components in attacking play Jesualdo Ferreira’s side recovered from
raised questions about the scarcity of along the flanks. An increasing number the psychological blow of the untimely
midfield schemers in the competition. of coaches, such as Seo Jung-won at own goal and went on to record a 1-3
Xavi was fielded in a relatively advanced Suwon Bluewings, were prepared to away win.
position behind the front three and was commit both full-backs simultaneously
protected by two more conservative to attack, whereas silver medallists Strengthening the links
midfielders. Although he was the key Persepolis adopted a more pragmatic At the recent Club Coaches Forum,
distributor in his team’s middle-to-front approach based primarily on defensive Choi Kang-hee commented “the
play, his brand of ‘playmaking’ differed priorities imposed by the opposition’s quality of our Champions League is
substantially from the role adopted by, wing play. Their semi-final opponents, still a bit lower than in Europe. The
say, Luka Modric during Croatia’s run to Al Sadd, offered a prime example clubs, at least the ones in East Asia,
the World Cup final, when he dictated of effective relationships between realise the importance of competing in
the tempo from a deeper position. the full-backs and the wingers or the Champions League and are highly
For champions Kashima Antlers, Léo wide midfielders, with Hamid Ismaeil motivated when they take part. Some
Silva was the nearest approximation pushing forward to combine with clubs are definitely developing and I see
to the playmaking role with Misao Hasan Al Haydos on the right while, a slight improvement in the level every
collaborating in the tasks of controlling on the left, Abdelkarim Hassan formed year.” Takeshi Ono, one of the AFC
the tempo and switching play. In a dangerous partnership with the team of technical observers, added
general, the AFC Champions League pacy Akram Afif. Other full-backs “the standard is certainly improving but
mirrored other competitions in that the who caught the eye of AFC technical there are still one or two weak links.”
traditional playmaker was conspicuous observers with their attacking qualities The debating point is whether one of
by his absence. included the Esteghlal right-back the links to strengthen is the education
Khosro Heydari; Tianjin Quanjian’s left- of more streetwise players…
High and wide back Wang Xiaolong or the champions’
The 2018 competition also extended right-back Atsuto Uchida. All were
the tendency so extensively employed praised not only for the athleticism of
at the World Cup for full-backs to be their overlapping runs but also for the
AL DUHAIL SC
40
• 1-4-3-3 with single screening midfielder or 1-4-2-3-1 with two 2 4
• Emphasis on building through thirds with neat combination play
22 18
• Tactical flexibility; rotations in midfield; interchanging wingers 15
• No 12 Karim Boudiaf linking attacks from central midfield
• Fast attack-to-defence transitions into deep 1-4-4-1-1 block 8 12
• Intense pressure on ball-carrier as from midfield
• Attacking philosophy with Brazilian accents in each department 10 27
19
AL SADD
AL SADD SC
22
• 1-4-3-3 usually with two screening midfielders + No 6 Xavi at apex
• Possession game; patient attacking with skilful combination football 12 2 16 14
• Xavi the midfield catalyst; control under pressure, vision, experience
• Disciplined defending; adventurous full-backs; pressing from midfield 55
• No 11 Bounedjah a fast, agile, mobile striker with excellent ball control 29
• Good transitions in both directions; variation in build-up, switches of play 6
• Tactically well-organised; good positional play, changes of tempo 10 96
11
Esteghlal
ESTEGHLAL FC 1
• Variations on 1-4-1-4-1 with single deep-lying screening midfielder 4 33
• Mix of short-passing moves and direct supply from back to front 21 13
• Fast counterattacking after ball-winning in defensive third
• Defence led by No 4 Cheshmi; strong in air, on ground; building from back
17 71 14 78
• Emphasis on wing play; attacking full-backs, especially No 2 Heydari on right
• No 91 R. Bagheri the key attacker behind main striker No 78 Tabrizi
8
• Tactical flexibility; pressure generally deep or from midfield
12
JEONBUK
36
Kashima Antlers
KASHIMA ANTLERS
1
• 1-4-4-2 with skilful No 18 Serginho playing off main striker No 9 Suzuki 35 3
• Combination game with changes of tempo via diagonal or forward passes 22 16
• Full-backs, notably No 22 Nishi on right, in good wing play; quality crossing
20
• No20 Misao the midfield controller in attack and defence; movement, vision 4
• Disciplined, compact defending led by centre-back No 35 Seung Hyun
• Intense collective pressing in midfield and, sometimes, advanced areas
8 18 30
• Strong collective unit; talent, work ethic, composure, team spirit
PERSEPOLIS FC
PERSEPOLIS FC
1
• 1-4-4-2 with occasional use of midfield diamond or 1-3-4-3
• Extensive use of direct passing by keeper, defenders to strikers
4 15
• Attacks exploiting pace and skills of No70 Alipour, No90 Mensha 3 69
• Rational attacking with two midfielders up; two staying back
• Aggressive pressure on ball-carrier; occasional high pressing
8 5
• Well-organised defending organised by No4 Hosseini 21 11
• Tactically disciplined; strong team and work ethics, commitment
to cause
70 90
Suwon bluewings
tianjin quanjian
TIANJIN QUANJIAN FC
1
• 1-3-5-2 or 1-4-2-3-1 with two screening midfielders
• Fast transitions to compact 1-4-4-1-1 defensive block 4 21
18 19
• Emphasis on fast attacking with penetrating runs in wide areas
• Overlapping full-backs; quality crosses by No19 Wang Xiaolong on left
• No 10 Pato the key tactically; solo skills, finishing, dangerous free-kicks
7 3
• Defence led by No 21 Kwon Kyung-Won; 1 v 1 ability, good passes from back 16 39
• Disciplined, well-organised, hard-working unit with strong team spirit 9
10
Striking facts
51
6 34 RUNNING WITH THE BALL
FORWARD PASSES
22 17
LONG-RANGE SHOTS
30
CORNER
Throw-ins
COMBINATIONS
PENALTIES
37
21 DEFENSIVE ERRORS
14 OWN GOALS
10 DIAGONALS
19 CUT-BACKS
What goes up usually comes down. and, at the other end, kept seven clean combination play continued along their
The 2017 AFC Champions League sheets. The champions, Kashima Antlers, downward path – as they have done in
had registered a 27.5% increase in the averaged 1.8 goals per match. AFC’s age-limit competitions. Less than
number of goals scored and this was, one in ten of open-play goals (9.4% to
unsurprisingly, a prelude to a downturn The pattern of individual scoring be precise) stemmed from elaborated
in 2018. But the decrease was restricted registered an evolution in that only four attacking moves. This represents a
to 7.61% and the total of 364 goals at an of the 15 players who scored five or more stark contrast with Europe’s equivalent
average of 2.89 per match represented a hailed from Brazil – compared with five competition where, in 2017/18 three
middle-of-the-road figure in comparison of the top eight in the previous season. times the number of goals were down
with the much lower tallies of 309 and Eight of the top scorers, however, to passing moves – 24% of the open-
334 which had been posted in 2016 and were from non-AFC countries, with play total. There were a number of
2015 respectively. The final balance was two African and two European players outstanding combination moves,
also in a midfield position between the joining the four Brazilians. including two among the season’s Top
average of 2.64 at the FIFA World Cup in Ten: the 77th-minute move finished by
Russia and the UEFA Champions League The 2018 competition produced one Oscar during Shanghai SIPG’s 4-1 home
record of 3.21 during the 2017/18 season. goal per 8.75 goal attempts although, win against Melbourne Victory; and the
once again, it has to be added that no goal scored by Léo Silva which allowed
Interestingly, the knockout rounds, more than 35% were on target (36% in Kashima Antlers to break the deadlock
where the average was 3.1 goals per the previous season). It means that one in the first leg of the final. Both goals
fixture, were more prolific than the AFC in three of the on-target attempts found had Brazilian accents. Al Sadd, inspired
Champions League group stage, in its way into the net. The goalscoring by Xavi Hernández who, with a total of
which the 96 matches yielded 271 goals charts logs the technical and tactical 715, executed more passes than anyone
at 2.82 per game. During the KO phase of actions which led to the season’s 364 else in the competition, were the top
the competition leading up to the final, goals. team in terms of combination-play
44 goals were scored in the East zone successes, followed by the champions,
and 47 in the West. Jeonbuk Motors Open Play who capitalised on the skills of Léo
emerged as the highest scorers, thanks Silva and Serginho. The debating point
largely to the 22 goals which made the Goals scored in open play accounted is whether more needs to be done at
team from the Korea Republic by far and for 73% of the season’s total – just a player-development levels to encourage
away the highest scorers in the group single per cent higher than in 2017 and creative passing interchanges in the
stage. Their final balance of 2.9 goals identical to the figure registered in 2015. final third.
per game contrasted sharply with silver Numerically, the total faded from 284 to
medallists Persepolis who scored 17 266 with the losses spread pretty much Still focusing on the debit column, the
times in 14 games at an average of 1.2 across the board. Goals derived from number of goals resulting from through
40
passes fell by 14 yet still accounted
for 19% of the open-play total. In this
category, Al Duhail drew the greatest
dividends with six goals originating
from a defence-splitting pass. Long-
range shooting accounted for nine
goals fewer than in the previous season
but was still fertile terrain, considering
that, in 2016, only 20 goals had been
struck from long distance. In 2018, 13%
of the open-play goals were derived
from long-range efforts, many of them
spectacular – to the extent that seven of
them made the Top Ten of the season.
Although none of them featured on that
particular ranking, Ulsan Hyundai made
substantial profits on their long-range
finishing, scoring five of their 16 goals
from outside the box.
Prior to the second leg of the final in Tehran, Kashima Antlers but had drawn as many games as they had won and were
head coach Go Oiwa was reminded by the media that this struggling to score goals. Esteghlal were way below them,
was his team’s fourth game in 11 days and that the total having won less than 30% of their league games. Suwon
number of fixtures during the season that was nearing its end Bluewings told a similarly disappointing story with 13 wins in
had already surpassed the 50-mark. He was asked whether their 36 K League matches. Ditto Tianjin Quanjian, stranded in
physical and mental fatigue could be a conditioning factor in the middle of the Chinese Super League with nine victories to
the Japanese club’s bid to win the AFC Champions League show from 30 fixtures. Hence the talking point: why do teams
for the first time. To his credit, the response transmitted find it so difficult to combine domestic and international
all the right messages. “We have been dealing with a tight successes?
schedule since the beginning of the season,” he said, “and I
don’t think we should start using this as an excuse now that
we are 90 minutes away from winning the title. The players
may be physically and mentally tired but, after a couple of
days of rest, they are looking forward to the return leg.”
Reporters also reminded him that the team could not afford
to take an eye off the domestic ball, given that Kashima were
fighting for a placing in the J-League which would offer an
opportunity to extend the AFC Champions League adventure
into the following season.
Once the trophy had been presented, the fireworks had faded
into the Tehran sky and the confetti had been cleared from
the Azadi Stadium, the scenario provoked a reflection or two.
Among the top eight in the AFC Champions League, Kashima
were not alone in struggling for domestic success. Jeonbuk
Motors and Al Duhail, both eliminated in the quarter-finals,
were the only clubs to top their league tables. Semi-finalists
Al Sadd were not far behind them in Qatar. Silver medallists
Persepolis, serial title-winners in Iran, were still handily placed
44
Travelling broadens the mind?
The fatigue factor is evidently among the more plausible
explanations. Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-Hee, at the recent
AFC Elite Club Coaches Forum, commented “when you play
two games per week, rest and recovery become major issues.
When you add on injuries and the number of your key players
regularly away on national team duty, it’s obvious that this
is the aspect you have to focus on.” Paulo Sousa, in charge
at Tianjin Quanjian during their AFC Champions League
campaign, added “it’s difficult to design training programmes
when your prime concern is rest and recovery. You don’t find
time to repeat the tactical exercises that you want to work on.”
The Champions League evidently entails considerable air miles
– and one of the anecdotes of the season was provided by
Tianjin when, due to a clash of dates with another event, the East and West – an opinion strongly voiced in the West on the
home leg of their quarter-final was transferred to Macau which, back of 12 wins in the last 13 seasons for clubs from the East.
as the crow flies, is just short of 2,000km away. As the plane “We are trying to develop a different style of play,” Schäfer
flies, it means almost four hours in the air. Sousa’s side lost the stated, “and it would definitely help teams from the West to
‘home’ leg 0-3. play against teams from the East.” In terms of playing styles
and exchange of knowledge is it positive? Or would this just
The issue has greater relevance because it interlocks with some add extra numbers to the travelling = fatigue equation? Is it a
of the competition’s perennial debating points. At the Coaches good idea? If so, how could it be implemented? By opening up
Forum, Esteghlal boss Winfried Schäfer reiterated the view the draw earlier in the competition?
that the competition should permit greater contact between
Dating games?
“Neither team was at a high level due to the fact that they
were starting their domestic championship.” The comment
was culled from a report by one of AFC’s technical
observers on a quarter-final match played in the West zone
at the end of August. It has to be conceded that, every four
years, fixture lists need to be adjusted to dovetail with the
requirements attached to the FIFA World Cup. But, if the
AFC Champions League sets out to offer spectators the
highest possible levels of football and entertainment, is there
a case for re-designing the fixture list within each of the
East and West zones? Should they be separated to interlock
more neatly with domestic competitions? Or should clubs
and coaches design their preparation schedules with a view
to performing at top level when the AFC Champions League
ball starts rolling?
Grassroots football?
At the Club Coaches Forum, reservations were expressed
about the quality of playing surfaces. Admittedly, matches
are staged in a wide variety of venues and climatic
conditions. But there was a feeling that the quality of pitches
could often do with improvement. Not only to promote
better entertainment value during the match itself but, in
the longer term, to promote greater quality in terms of the
players’ technical skills. Debate could be initiated by Al Sadd
midfielder Xavi Hernández – an eloquent spokesman for the
meticulous attention to details of grass height and pitch
watering which, literally and figuratively, laid the foundations
for the golden age at FC Barcelona. What can be done to
ensure optimum pitch quality in Asian football’s prime club
competition?
48
CLUB PROFILE
Jeddah-based Al Ahli returned to the AFC Champions League after finishing second in the Saudi Pro League and
were looking to improve on their admirable performance in 2012 when they reached the final only to lose 3-0 to
Korea Republic’s Ulsan Hyundai FC.
In 2017, Al Ahli made it through to the quarter-finals – the third time they had progressed to the last eight of the
competition – before narrowly losing over two legs to Persepolis from the Islamic Republic of Iran following an away
draw and a defeat at home.
HEAD COACH
Fathi Al Jabal
With previous incumbent Sergei Rebrov leaving his post at the end of the
Saudi Pro League season in April, Fathi Al Jabal was appointed to oversee
the rest of Al Ahli’s AFC Champions League campaign. Prior to joining Al
Ahli, Al Jabal was in his second spell with Saudi Arabian top-flight side Al
Fateh where the Tunisian tactician famously won the title in 2013.
Sergei Rebrov
(left the club ahead of the Round of 16)
The former Ukraine international striker retired as a player in 2009 after spells
at clubs in Ukraine, England, Turkey and Russia. He began his coaching career
by working with the reserves at his former club Dynamo Kiev. Rebrov took
charge of the Ukrainian giants in 2014 and went on to win two league titles
and two Ukrainian Cups before joining Al Ahli in June 2017.
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CLUB PROFILE
Al Jazira qualified for the AFC Champions League after adding a second United Arab Emirates top-flight title
success to the one they won in 2011.
2018 marked the club’s 10th appearance since their competition debut in 2009, although the side from Abu Dhabi
failed to make it out of the group stage in the 2017 edition, finishing bottom of Group B behind Al Duhail, Esteghlal
Khouzestan and Al Fateh. They did, however, reach the Round of 16 as recently as 2014, and also finished fourth at
the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup.
HEAD COACH
Dutchman Henk ten Cate is no stranger to Asia having overseen United Arab
Emirates side Al Ahli, Qatar’s Umm Salal and China’s Shandong Luneng
between 2010 and 2013. He began his coaching career in his native Holland
with Go Ahead Eagles, before managing Vitesse Arnhem and Ajax and
serving as an assistant at both Barcelona and Chelsea. He joined Al Jazira
in 2016.
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CLUB PROFILE
Tractorsazi Tabriz returned to the competition for a fifth time after sealing third place in the Iran Pro League and
finishing as runners-up to Naft Tehran in the Hazfi Cup.
The Tabriz-based outfit’s best AFC Champions League performance thus far came in 2016 when they were narrowly
beaten 5-4 on aggregate in the Round of 16 by Al Nasr from the United Arab Emirates. Tractorsazi received a bye
through to this year’s group stage given the absence of a third team from Saudi Arabia and any from Iraq.
HEAD COACH
Ertuğrul Sağlam
54
CLUB PROFILE
Having finished fifth in the Qatar Stars League, Al Gharafa were awarded a place in the 2018 play-off phase after El
Jaish, who finished fourth, merged with Lekhwiya to form Al Duhail SC.
A 2-1 win over Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor duly secured a spot in the group stage and their return to the competition
represented the club’s eighth appearance in total. Al Gharfa’s best performance in the competition to date came
when they reached the quarter-finals in 2010, only to suffer an agonising extra-time defeat to Saudi Arabian
powerhouse Al Hilal SFC.
HEAD COACH
Bülent Uygun
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CLUB PROFILE
A product of the merger between Lekhwiya and El Jaish, Al Duhail entered the fray as reigning Qatar Stars League
champions. While still known as Lekhwiya, the Doha-based club reached the AFC Champions League quarter-finals
in both 2013 and 2015, before losing to eventual winners Guangzhou Evergrande from China PR and Saudi Arabia’s
Al Hilal SFC respectively.
In 2017, they remained unbeaten during an impressive group stage campaign, but eventually came unstuck in the
Round of 16, succumbing 1-0 on aggregate over two legs to Persepolis FC.
HEAD COACH
Nabil Maâloul
A former Tunisia international, Nabil Maâloul has experience playing and
coaching in West Asia, having played for Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli in 1994 and
managing El Jaish in 2014, were he claimed the Qatar Cup that season.
Maâloul has also coached Tunisia, successfully leading the North Africans
to Russia 2018 where they finished third in Group G behind Belgium and
England.
Djamel Belmadi
(left the club ahead of the quarter-finals)
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CLUB PROFILE
Al Wahda finished fifth in the UAE Pro League but ensured an eighth time appearance in the AFC Champions
League group stage thanks to their 3-1 UAE President’s Cup win over Al Nasr.
The club’s best AFC Champions League performance by far came in 2007 when they reached the last four before
bowing out 2-1 on aggregate over two legs to Sepahan from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Since reaching the semi-
finals 11 years ago, Al Wahda, who hail from Abu Dhabi, have yet to progress through to the competition’s knockout
phase.
HEAD COACH
Laurențiu Reghecampf
The highly respected Laurențiu Reghecampf took Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC to the
final of the 2014 AFC Champions League before seeing his side lose to Western
Sydney Wanderers. Following his stint with Al Hilal, he returned to his native Romania
to coach Litex Lovech and Steaua Bucharest but returned to Asia to join Al Wahda in
July 2017.
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CLUB PROFILE
Tashkent-based Lokomotiv secured a second successive Uzbekistan league and cup double to ensure a fourth
appearance in the group stage of the AFC Champions League.
Despite failing to progress to the competition’s knockout phase in both 2013 and 2014, Lokomotiv rebounded
superbly in 2016 by winning four of their six group stage games to qualify for the Round of 16 as Group A winners.
They subsequently knocked out Saudi Arabi’s Al Hilal SFC before narrowly losing 1-0 on aggregate to Al Ain from
the United Arab Emirates in a tense last eight encounter.
HEAD COACH
Andrey Miklyaev
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CLUB PROFILE
Zobahan appeared in the group stage for a fifth time after the Esfahan club finished fourth in the Iran Pro League,
and then beat Indian champions Aizawl FC 3-1 in the play-offs.
After making their AFC Champions League debut in 2004, Zobahan found their continental feet in 2010 when they
reached the final before losing to Korea Republic’s Seongnam Ilhwa. Since that appearance, Zobahan’s best display
came in 2016 when, following an impressive group stage campaign, they were knocked out in the last 16 by Al Ain
from the United Arab Emirates.
HEAD COACH
Amir Ghalenoei
Former Islamic Republic of Iran coach Ghalenoei joined Zobahan from Tractorsazi
Tabriz in June 2017, bringing to the club a wealth of experience in Asian football. A
former player for Esteghlal and Al Sadd, Ghaleonoei famously won the Asian Club
Championship in 1991 as a player and coached the Iranian national team at the 2007
AFC Asian Cup.
Group C
PERSEPOLIS FC (IRN)
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CLUB PROFILE
Persepolis, who famously won the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup in 1991, claimed the 2017 Iran Pro League title to secure
a seventh AFC Champions League group stage appearance.
Since making their debut in 2003, the Tehran-based side have qualified for the Round of 16 on no less than three
previous occasions, although their best display to date came in the last edition of Asia’s premier club competition,
when a fine run of results helped them reach the semi-finals before they were beaten by Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC.
HEAD COACH
Branko Ivankovic
Veteran Croatian coach Branko Ivankovic is one of Asian football’s most experienced
tacticians. As head coach of the Islamic Republic of Iran national team, he took Team
Melli to third place at the 2004 AFC Asian Cup and qualification for the 2006 FIFA
World Cup. After spells in China and Saudi Arabia he returned to Iran in 2015 to take
charge of Persepolis.
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CLUB PROFILE
After failing to progress beyond the play-offs in the previous two editions of the AFC Champions League, Al Sadd
qualified for the 2018 group stage thanks to their Emir of Qatar Cup success.
After making their debut in 2003, Al Sadd have become competition regulars and were crowned champions in 2011
when, following a 2-2 draw, they dramatically edged out Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on penalties in the final. They
have also been quarter-finalists on two occasions, in 2005 and again in 2014, before being beaten by Busan I’Park
and Al Hilal SFC respectively..
HEAD COACH
Jesualdo Ferreira
A vastly experienced coach, Ferreira is enjoying his first stint in Asia following a
glittering career in his native Portugal. As well as a spell with Portugal’s U-21 side, the
wily tactician guided Porto to three Primeira Liga titles, before overseeing Egyptian
giants Zamalek when they sealed a league and cup double in 2015. He was named Al
Sadd coach later that same year.
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CLUB PROFILE
Al Wasl secured their spot in the 2018 edition of the AFC Champions League after finishing second behind table-
topping Al Jazira in the UAE Pro League.
The Emiratis were featuring in the competition for only the second time following a debut outing in 2008. That
campaign saw Al Wasl record victories over Kuwait SC and Iraq’s Air Force Club, as well as a 1-1 home draw with
Saipa from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Despite racking up seven points, they finished third in Group B and failed to
progress to the knockout stage.
HEAD COACH
Rodolfo Arruabarrena
After a playing career which saw him appear for the likes of Boca Juniors and
Rosario Central in his native Argentina, Arruabarrena’s first coaching stint was with
Argentinean side Tigre in 2011, before guiding Boca Juniors to the 2015 Argentine
Primera Division and Copa Argentina titles. He replaced compatriot Gabriel Calderon
at Al Wasl in June 2016.
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CLUB PROFILE
Nasaf finished second in the 2017 Uzbekistan League to earn a place in the AFC Champions League group stage for
a fourth time since making their competition debut in 2012.
Their spot among Asia’s elite was guaranteed thanks to a convincing 5-1 home win over Jordan’s Al Faisaly in the
play-offs. They famously became the first club from Uzbekistan to win an Asian club title in 2011 when they beat
Kuwait SC to lift the AFC Cup. The Qarshi-based side have, however, yet to reach the AFC Champions League’s
knockout phase.
HEAD COACH
Ruziqul Berdiev
After making his professional debut at FK Yangiyer, Ruzuiqul spent much of his career
with Nasaf where he played over 300 games for the club. Following his retirement as
a player in 2008, Berdiev became an assistant coach with the club and was elevated to
the head coaching job in 2012. He was named Uzbekistan’s Coach of the Year in 2013.
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CLUB PROFILE
Two-time Asian Club Championship winners Al Hilal qualified for the AFC Champions League for a 10th consecutive
season following their Saudi Pro League title win.
Prior to 2018 edition, the side from Riyadh were losing finalists in 2014 and 2017, and have been semi-finalists on
two other occasions. Al Hilal are undoubtedly one of Asia’s most successful clubs with victories in the Asian Club
Championship in 1991 and 2000, plus a brace of triumphs in both the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup and the Asian Super
Cup.
HEAD COACH
Juan Brown
Stepping up from his role with the club’s U-21 side, Argentine Juan Brown took
charge of Al Hilal following the departure of Diaz in the wake of the Matchday Two
defeat to Esteghlal. Under Diaz, Al Hilal claimed the Saudi Pro League and King’s
Cup titles last season.
Ramon Diaz
(left the club after two games of the group stage)
A former Argentina international, Ramon Diaz is in his first coaching stint in Asia after
spending much of his managerial career in South America. He guided River Plate
several titles, including the Copa Libertadores. Prior to his appointment by Al Hilal
in October 2016, he coached Paraguay’s national team to the semi-finals of the 2015
Copa America.
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CLUB PROFILE
Al Rayyan are no strangers to Asia’s premier club competition having appeared in the AFC Champions League on
seven previous occasions.
After finishing third in the Qatar Stars League, they appeared in the 2018 group stage given the absence of a third
side from Saudi Arabia and any participants from Iraq. Doha-based Al Rayyan have yet to make it through to the
knockout phase of the competition, however, with their 2017 campaign seeing them miss out again after finishing
third in Group D.
HEAD COACH
Michael Laudrup
After retiring as a player in 1998, the former Denmark international became his
country’s assistant coach with Denmark for two years and was in charge of clubs in the
Spanish, Russian and English leagues before moving to QAT in 2014 to join Lekhwiya
(now Al Duhail). He duly steered them to the Qatari league title in 2014-15 ahead of
his move to rivals Al Rayyan.
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CLUB PROFILE
Esteghlal qualified for the AFC Champions League’s latest edition following their second-place finish in the 2017 Iran
Pro League.
The two-time Asian Club Championship winners reached the Round of 16 in 2017 after initially entering in the
play-offs phase. Their best campaign to date came in 2013 when they won four of their six group stage games,
before beating the UAE’s Al Shabab in the last 16 and Thailand’s Buriram United in the quarter-finals. Their run was,
however, ended in the semi-finals by FC Seoul.
HEAD COACH
Winfried Schäfer
Group D
AL AIN FC (UAE)
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CLUB PROFILE
Al Ain returned to the competition once again after finishing fourth in the UAE Pro League and beating Bahrain’s
Malkiya Club 2-0 in the play-offs.
In 2017, the Emiratis made it out of the group stage before beating Esteghlal in the Round of 16 and then losing to
Al Hilal in the quarter-finals. Runners-up in 2005 and 2016 – and semi-finalists in 2014 – Al Ain’s finest performance
to date came in 2003 when they were crowned champions of the AFC Champions League’s inaugural edition after
a 2-1 aggregate win over Thailand’s BEC Tero Sasana.
HEAD COACH
Zoran Mamic
Zoran Mamic is a former Croatia international, who spent several years of his playing
career in Germany, enjoyed much coaching success in his homeland, winning three
consecutive Croatian league titles with Dinamo Zagreb. The 46-year-old arrived in the
Middle East in 2016 to take charge of Saudi side Al Nassr before his appointment by
Al Ain.
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CLUB PROFILE
Two-time AFC Champions League winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors from Korea Republic returned to the competition
having sealed a fifth K League Classic success in 2017.
Jeonbuk claimed their first continental win in 2006 with victory over two legs against Al Karamah from Syria before
securing a second a decade later against Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates in 2016 when they beat their Emirati
opponents 3-2 on aggregate following a home win and an away draw. They, however, missed out on the opportunity
to defend their title in 2017.
HEAD COACH
Choi Kang-hee
Choi Kang-hee took his Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors side back into the AFC Champions
League once again, with the former Korea Republic head coach looking for a record
third continental title as a coach. Choi led the club to success in both 2006 and 2016,
while he has also now won six K League titles as well as successfully guiding his
country to the finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
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CLUB PROFILE
Hong Kong’s Kitchee made their first-ever appearance in the AFC Champions League group stage having only
previously only featured in the competition’s preliminary rounds.
In 2016, they lost to Vietnam’s Hanoi T&T in the play-off phase, before missing out on a surprise win over Ulsan
Hyundai a year later, losing in a penalty shoot-out to the club from Korea Republic having defeated Hanoi FC in the
previous round. The club won the Hong Kong Premier League title in the 2016-17 season, finishing ahead of 2017 AFC
Champions League representatives Eastern.
HEAD COACH
Chu Chi Kwong served a lengthy apprenticeship as assistant coach at Kitchee SC,
holding the role for some 10 years before taking over as head coach ahead of the
2016-17 season. His deep knowledge of the club paid off wonderfully well as he duly
steered Kitchee to the Hong Kong Premier League, the Hong Kong FA Cup and the
Senior Shield in his first year in charge.
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CLUB PROFILE
Tianjin Quanjian booked their first-ever appearance in the group stage of the AFC Champions League as the club
continued its remarkable progress.
Tianjin Quanjian won China League One, the country’s second division, in 2016 before claiming third place in the
Chinese Super League in 2017 thanks to an impressive late season surge to qualify for the 2018 AFC Champions
League play-offs. There, they saw off Ceres Negros of the Philippines thanks to a pair of goals from Anthony Modeste
to book their place in Group E.
HEAD COACH
Paulo Sousa
Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa was appointed in November 2017 as the club’s
replacement for Fabio Cannavaro, who led Tianjin to third place in the Chinse Super
League just one year after promotion from China League One. Sousa, who played
for Juventus and represented his country 52 times, took over after coaching stints in
England, Hungary, Switzerland, Israel and Italy.
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CLUB PROFILE
After finishing fourth in the 2017 J.League, Kashiwa Reysol qualified for the AFC Champions League group stage for
the fourth time in the club’s history with a win over Thailand’s Muangthong United.
Reysol were, however, made to wait until the outcome of the Emperor’s Cup final was decided in Cerezo Osaka’s
favour having their place in the AFC Champions League’s 2018 edition confirmed. Reysol have a perfect record of
advancing to the knockout phase, reaching the semi-finals in 2013 and progressing to the last eight two years later.
HEAD COACH
Takahiro Shimotaira
Takahiro Shimotaira was appointed Kashiwa Reysol head coach ahead of the 2016
domestic season and duly helped secure back-to-back top 10 J.League finishes. A
fourth-place finish in 2017 was enough to see Shimotaira return the club he played
for – he had two stints with Kashiwa either side of a spell with FC Tokyo – to the AFC
Champions League.
88
CLUB PROFILE
Kawasaki Frontale entered their sixth AFC Champions League as champions of Japan after they claimed their first-
ever league title in a dramatic conclusion to the 2017 season.
That domestic success marked Kawasaki’s first major trophy after three runners-up finishes. Their record in the AFC
Champions League features no less than three quarter-final appearances, with the most recent coming in 2017 when
they were eliminated by compatriots and eventual winners Urawa Red Diamonds following a narrow 5-4 aggregate
defeat over two legs.
HEAD COACH
Toru Oniki
Toru Oniki led Kawasaki Frontale to their first-ever domestic title in 2017, ending a
run of near-misses for the club based on the banks of the Tama River. The league win
capped a successful first year in charge for Oniki as he also steered Frontale to the
quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League, where they were narrowly defeated by
eventual winners Urawa Red Diamonds.
90
CLUB PROFILE
Despite finishing fifth in the K League standings, Ulsan Hyundai sealed their place in the group stage of the 2018
AFC Champions League after they claimed their first-ever Korean FA Cup title by beating Busan I’Park over two legs
in the final.
The 2012 champions, who saw off Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli in the final to claim the continental crown, featured in the
2017 edition but exited at the end of the group stage having only narrowly qualified via a penalty shoot-out win in
the play-offs against Hong Kong’s Kitchee SC.
HEAD COACH
Kim Do-hoon
A prolific goal scorer during his playing days, Kim Do-hoon steered Ulsan Hyundai FC
into the AFC Champions League at the end of his first season in charge of the club.
Kim represented Korea Republic at the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals in France and
played for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma before moving
into coaching.
Group F
MELBOURNE VICTORY (AUS)
92
CLUB PROFILE
Melbourne Victory qualified for the AFC Champions League for a sixth time in the club’s history after reaching the
Round of 16 in the 2016 edition – the first time the Australian side had advanced beyond the group stage.
Melbourne, three-time winners of the A-League’s Grand Final, booked their place in the 2018 edition after finishing
as runners-up in the A-League behind Sydney FC, who then went on to defeat Melbourne via a penalty shootout in
the 2017 A-League Grand Final.
HEAD COACH
Kevin Muscat
Kevin Muscat took over as Melbourne Victory coach in 2013 after Ange Postecoglou
was appointed head coach of the Australia national team, and the former defender
has established himself as one of the leading coaches in the A-League. He guided
Melbourne to the league and cup double in 2015 having previously won the A-League
title with the club as a player in 2007 and 2009.
Group F
SHANGHAI SIPG FC (CHN)
94
CLUB PROFILE
Shanghai SIPG finished as runners-up in both the Chinese Super League and the Chinese FA Cup in 2017, while also
reaching the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League.
Second place in the league sealed a place in the play-off phase of the 2018 AFC Champions League, with a 1-0 win
over Chiangrai United from Thailand enough to book Shanghai SIPG’s place in the group stage for the third season
in a row. SIPG also reached the quarter-finals in their debut appearance in the competition in 2016.
HEAD COACH
Vitor Pereira
Vitor Pereira took over as head coach of Shanghai SIPG FC following the resignation
of Andre Villas Boas, who had guided the club into the semi-finals of the 2017 AFC
Champions League. Pereira previously worked at Porto in his native Portugal – where
he also succeeded Villas Boas – and won the league in 2012 and 2013.
Group G
GUANGZHOU EVERGRANDE FC (CHN)
96
CLUB PROFILE
China PR powerhouse and two-time title winners Guangzhou Evergrande made their seventh consecutive AFC
Champions League appearance in the competition’s 2018 edition.
The 2017 Chinese Super League winners entered the group stage looking to seal a history-making third success after
claiming their first crown in 2013 when, with Italian Marcello Lippi at the helm, they defeated FC Seoul on the away
goals rule. Luiz Felipe Scolari then led Guangzhou to a second title just two years later as they defeated Al Ahli of
the United Arab Emirates.
HEAD COACH
Fabio Cannavaro
Fabio Cannavaro, who captained Italy to victory at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, was in
his second spell with Guangzhou Evergrande after originally leaving the club in 2015.
He replaced previous incumbent Luiz Felipe Scolari at the end of 2017 to continue a
coaching stint in Asia that has also seen him take charge of Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr
and Chinese domestic rivals Tianjin Quanjian.
98
CLUB PROFILE
Cerezo Osaka returned to Asia’s premier club competition for the first time since featuring in 2014, with the 2017
Emperor’s Cup winners looking to maintain their impressive 100 percent record of qualifying for the knockout phase.
Cerezo reached the quarter-finals in 2011 and the Round of 16 three years later. In addition to their Emperor’s Cup
success, Cerezo also won the J.League Cup and finished third in the domestic standings in 2017 to cap a spectacular
return to the upper tier of the Japanese game.
HEAD COACH
Yoon Jong-hwan
Named Japan’s Manager of the Year in 2017, Yoon Jong-hwan played for Cerezo
during a glittering career that also saw him earn 40 Korea Republic caps. Yoon began
coaching Sagan Tosu before moving to K League side Ulsan Hyundai FC in 2015. He
replaced Kiyoshi Okuma at Cerezo in 2017, before guiding his new charges to the
Emperor’s Cup and J.League Cup titles.
100
CLUB PROFILE
Jeju United sealed back-to-back qualifications for the AFC Champions League thanks to their runners-up finish in
the 2017 K League Classic.
In 2017, the team from Korea Republic’s southern island narrowly missed out on a quarter-final berth when they lost
a thrilling two-legged Round of 16 encounter against eventual champions Urawa Red Diamonds that saw them win
the first encounter 2-0 in front of their own fans before the Japanese side claimed a 3-0 victory in extra-time to seal
a 3-2 aggregate win.
HEAD COACH
Jo Sung-hwan
Jo Sung-hwan has had a long association with Jeju United FC, serving as a player
during their days as Yukong Elephants and Bucheon SK in the 1990s and 2000s.
He began his coaching career with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, before a return to his
original club in 2013, working initially as an assistant coach and then taking over as
head coach in 2015.
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CLUB PROFILE
Having missed out on a place in the 2017 AFC Champions League for the first time in seven seasons, a fourth Thai
Premier League title win in five years ensured a return to the competition for the club that reached the quarter-
finalists in 2013.
Regarded as the powerhouse of Thai football throughout much of the last decade, Buriram re-established themselves
in 2017 as the country’s preeminent force, winning the league title by 14 points from Muangthong United to claim
Thailand’s only automatic berth in the group stage.
HEAD COACH
Bozidar Bandovic
Montenegrin Bozidar Bandovic assumed the role of Buriram head coach after being
the club’s technical director prior to his appointment. He was also in charge of the Thai
side during the 2014 season, going on to coach both BEC Tero Sasana and Sisaket
before moving back to Buriram who he helped guide to the top-flight title in 2017.
104
CLUB PROFILE
Sydney returned to AFC Champions League for a fourth time after finishing their highly successful 2017 domestic
season as A-League Premiers before defeating Melbourne Victory in the Grand Final to be crowned champions.
The Australian outfit made their debut in the AFC Champions League in 2007 when they were narrowly denied a
place in the knockout rounds by eventual champions Urawa Red Diamonds. They reached the Round of 16 for the
first time in 2016, before being knocked out by Shandong Luneng.
HEAD COACH
Graham Arnold
A former Australia international striker, Graham Arnold is one of his country’s most
experienced coaches, taking charge of the national team at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup
and guiding Central Coast Mariners to the A-League title and the last 16 of the AFC
Champions League in 2013. After a short spell at Japan’s Vegalta Sendai, Arnold was
appointed Sydney head coach in May 2014.
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CLUB PROFILE
Shanghai Shenhua brought their seven-year absence from the AFC Champions League group stage to an end after
securing their berth in the competition with victory over cross-city rivals Shanghai SIPG in the final of the 2017
Chinese FA Cup.
The club’s best performance to date came in 2006 when they advanced to the quarter-finals before losing to
eventual winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. Shenhua qualified for the play-offs in 2017, but failed to advance after
being beaten by Australia’s Brisbane Roar.
HEAD COACH
Wu Jingui
Wu Jingui took over as caretaker coach following Gustavo Poyet’s dismissal in 2017,
and duly did enough to steer the club into the final of the Chinese FA Cup. Once
there, he masterminded a two-legged win over city rivals Shanghai SIPG to secure a
spot in the AFC Champions League. The win was also enough to secure Wu the role
of head coach on a full-time basis.
108
CLUB PROFILE
Kashima Antlers, Japan’s most successful club, entered the competition looking to improve their record in the AFC
Champions League and build on last year’s run to the Round of 16.
Kashima have never advanced beyond the quarter-finals, despite winning a record eight top-flight titles and finishing
as runners-up in the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup. They qualified for the 2018 tournament after finishing second
domestically, only missing out on the title to Kawasaki Frontale after a dramatic final day of the season.
HEAD COACH
Go Oiwa
Former Japan international defender Go Oiwa was named head coach after Masatada
Ishii was axed following the club’s failure to advance beyond the Round of 16 in
the 2017 AFC Champions League. Oiwa, who played for Antlers as well as Nagoya
Grampus Eight and Jubilo Iwata, duly steered Kashima to the verge of yet another
league title before their stumble on the final day.
110
CLUB PROFILE
Two-time Asian Club Championship winners Suwon Samsung Bluewings booked their place in the group stage
of the AFC Champions League for the ninth time in 14 seasons by seeing off Vietnam’s Thanh Hoa courtesy of a
comfortable 5-1 win in the play-off phase.
Prior to their latest continental campaign, Suwon’s best performance had come in 2011 when they made it through
to the semi-finals. However, the following years saw them suffer group stage exits in both 2016 and 2017 and they
last reached the Round of 16 in 2015.
HEAD COACH
Lee Byung-keun
Following Seo Jung-won’s departure ahead of the quarter-finals, assistant coach Lee
Byung-keun stepped in to take charge of first team affairs at the two-time Asian Club
Championship winners. Like Seo, Lee was a member of the playing staff when Suwon
won the Asian title in both 2001 and 2002 before moving into coaching, first with
Gyeongnam FC before returning to Suwon in 2013.
Seo Jung-won
(stepped down ahead of the quarter-finals)
Having lifted the Asian Club Championship as captain of Suwon Samsung Bluewings
in 2002, Seo Jung-won returned to the club as an assistant coach in 2012 after
fulfilling a similar role with the Korea Republic U23 and senior international sides
before He was duly elevated to his current position following the resignation of Yoon
Sung-hyo after the 2012 K League season.
16 Jan, 2018 EAST SHAN UNITED FC (MYA) 1-1 a.e.t. (0-0,0-0) 3-4 PSO CERES NEGROS FC (PHI)
16 Jan, 2018 EAST BALI UNITED FC (IDN) 3-1 (1-1) TAMPINES ROVERS FC (SIN)
23 Jan, 2018 EAST CHIANGRAI UNITED (THA) 2-1 a.e.t. (0-0,0-0) BALI UNITED FC (IDN)
23 Jan, 2018 EAST BRISBANE ROAR (AUS) 2-3 (1-1) CERES NEGROS FC (PHI)
23 Jan, 2018 EAST MUANGTHONG UNITED (THA) 5-2 (3-0) JOHOR DARUL TA’ZIM (MAS)
23 Jan, 2018 EAST EASTERN SC (HKG) 2-4 (1-1) THANH HOA (VIE)
PLAY-OFFS (EAST)
30 Jan, 2018 TIANJIN QUANJIAN FC (CHN) 2-0 (1-0) CERES NEGROS FC (PHI)
30 Jan, 2018 KASHIWA REYSOL (JPN) 3-0 (0-0) MUANGTHONG UNITED (THA)
30 Jan, 2018 SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR) 5-1 (2-0) THANH HOA (VIE)
30 Jan, 2018 SHANGHAI SIPG FC (CHN) 1-0 (0-0) CHIANGRAI UNITED (THA)
PLAYOFFS (WEST)
114
GROUP STAGE
GROUP A
P W D L F A GD PTS
AL GHARAFA (QAT) 6 2 2 2 12 9 3 8
12 Feb, 2018 TRACTORSAZI TABRIZ (IRN) 0-1 (0-0) AL AHLI SAUDI FC (KSA)
19 Feb, 2018 AL AHLI SAUDI FC (KSA) 2-1 (1-0) AL JAZIRA FSC (UAE)
05 Mar, 2018 AL JAZIRA FSC (UAE) 0-0 (0-0) TRACTORSAZI TABRIZ (IRN)
13 Mar, 2018 TRACTORSAZI TABRIZ (IRN) 1-1 (0-1) AL JAZIRA FSC (UAE)
03 Apr, 2018 AL AHLI SAUDI FC (KSA) 2-0 (0-0) TRACTORSAZI TABRIZ (IRN)
17 Apr, 2018 AL JAZIRA FSC (UAE) 1-2 (0-2) AL AHLI SAUDI FC (KSA)
* The standing table is base on points, goal-difference and number of goals of the teams tied
GROUP B
P W D L F A GD PTS
AL DUHAIL SC (QAT) 6 6 0 0 13 6 7 18
ZOBAHAN FC (IRN) 6 2 1 3 6 8 -2 7
12 Feb, 2018 PFC LOKOMOTIV (UZB) 5-0 (1-0) AL WAHDA FSCC (UAE)
03 Apr, 2018 AL WAHDA FSCC (UAE) 1-4 (0-2) PFC LOKOMOTIV (UZB)
P W D L F A GD PTS
PERSEPOLIS FC (IRN) 6 4 1 1 8 3 5 13
AL SADD SC (QAT) 6 4 0 2 11 5 6 12
FC NASAF (UZB) 6 3 1 2 4 8 -4 10
AL WASL FC (UAE) 6 0 0 6 3 10 -7 0
GROUP D
P W D L F A GD PTS
ESTEGHLAL FC (IRN) 6 3 3 0 9 5 4 12
AL AIN FC (UAE) 6 2 4 0 10 6 4 10
AL RAYYAN SC (QAT) 6 1 3 2 7 11 -4 6
116
GROUP E
P W D L F A GD PTS
13 Feb, 2018 JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS (KOR) 3-2 (0-2) KASHIWA REYSOL (JPN)
20 Feb, 2018 KASHIWA REYSOL (JPN) 1-1 (0-0) TIANJIN QUANJIAN FC (CHN)
20 Feb, 2018 KITCHEE SC (HKG) 0-6 (0-5) JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS (KOR)
06 Mar, 2018 JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS (KOR) 6-3 (2-1) TIANJIN QUANJIAN FC (CHN)
14 Mar, 2018 TIANJIN QUANJIAN FC (CHN) 4-2 (1-1) JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS (KOR)
04 Apr, 2018 KASHIWA REYSOL (JPN) 0-2 (0-1) JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS (KOR)
18 Apr, 2018 TIANJIN QUANJIAN FC (CHN) 3-2 (2-1) KASHIWA REYSOL (JPN)
18 Apr, 2018 JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS (KOR) 3-0 (0-0) KITCHEE SC (HKG)
GROUP F
P W D L F A GD PTS
13 Feb, 2018 KAWASAKI FRONTALE (JPN) 0-1 (0-1) SHANGHAI SIPG FC (CHN)
13 Feb, 2018 MELBOURNE VICTORY (AUS) 3-3 (2-2) ULSAN HYUNDAI FC (KOR)
20 Feb, 2018 ULSAN HYUNDAI FC (KOR) 2-1 (1-0) KAWASAKI FRONTALE (JPN)
20 Feb, 2018 SHANGHAI SIPG FC (CHN) 4-1 (2-0) MELBOURNE VICTORY (AUS)
07 Mar, 2018 KAWASAKI FRONTALE (JPN) 2-2 (1-1) MELBOURNE VICTORY (AUS)
07 Mar, 2018 SHANGHAI SIPG FC (CHN) 2-2 (1-1) ULSAN HYUNDAI FC (KOR)
13 Mar, 2018 ULSAN HYUNDAI FC (KOR) 0-1 (0-0) SHANGHAI SIPG FC (CHN)
13 Mar, 2018 MELBOURNE VICTORY (AUS) 1-0 (0-0) KAWASAKI FRONTALE (JPN)
04 Apr, 2018 ULSAN HYUNDAI FC (KOR) 6-2 (3-0) MELBOURNE VICTORY (AUS)
04 Apr, 2018 SHANGHAI SIPG FC (CHN) 1-1 (0-0) KAWASAKI FRONTALE (JPN)
18 Apr, 2018 KAWASAKI FRONTALE (JPN) 2-2 (2-0) ULSAN HYUNDAI FC (KOR)
18 Apr, 2018 MELBOURNE VICTORY (AUS) 2-1 (1-1) SHANGHAI SIPG FC (CHN)
P W D L F A GD PTS
14 Feb, 2018 GUANGZHOU EVERGRANDE FC (CHN) 1-1 (1-0) BURIRAM UNITED (THA)
14 Feb, 2018 JEJU UNITED FC (KOR) 0-1 (0-0) CEREZO OSAKA (JPN)
21 Feb, 2018 BURIRAM UNITED (THA) 0-2 (0-2) JEJU UNITED FC (KOR)
21 Feb, 2018 CEREZO OSAKA (JPN) 0-0 (0-0) GUANGZHOU EVERGRANDE FC (CHN)
06 Mar, 2018 BURIRAM UNITED (THA) 2-0 (1-0) CEREZO OSAKA (JPN)
06 Mar, 2018 GUANGZHOU EVERGRANDE FC (CHN) 5-3 (1-2) JEJU UNITED FC (KOR)
14 Mar, 2018 CEREZO OSAKA (JPN) 2-2 (0-1) BURIRAM UNITED (THA)
14 Mar, 2018 JEJU UNITED FC (KOR) 0-2 (0-2) GUANGZHOU EVERGRANDE FC (CHN)
03 Apr, 2018 BURIRAM UNITED (THA) 1-1 (0-1) GUANGZHOU EVERGRANDE FC (CHN)
03 Apr, 2018 CEREZO OSAKA (JPN) 2-1 (2-0) JEJU UNITED FC (KOR)
17 Apr, 2018 GUANGZHOU EVERGRANDE FC (CHN) 3-1 (1-1) CEREZO OSAKA (JPN)
17 Apr, 2018 JEJU UNITED FC (KOR) 0-1 (0-0) BURIRAM UNITED (THA)
GROUP H
P W D L F A GD PTS
SYDNEY FC (AUS) 6 1 3 2 7 8 -1 6
14 Feb, 2018 KASHIMA ANTLERS (JPN) 1-1 (0-1) SHANGHAI SHENHUA FC (CHN)
14 Feb, 2018 SYDNEY FC (AUS) 0-2 (0-0) SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR)
21 Feb, 2018 SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR) 1-2 (0-1) KASHIMA ANTLERS (JPN)
07 Mar, 2018 SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR) 1-1 (0-0) SHANGHAI SHENHUA FC (CHN)
13 Mar, 2018 SHANGHAI SHENHUA FC (CHN) 0-2 (0-0) SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR)
03 Apr, 2018 SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR) 1-4 (1-2) SYDNEY FC (AUS)
03 Apr, 2018 SHANGHAI SHENHUA FC (CHN) 2-2 (2-0) KASHIMA ANTLERS (JPN)
17 Apr, 2018 KASHIMA ANTLERS (JPN) 0-1 (0-1) SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR)
118
KNOCK-OUT STAGE
ROUND OF 16
08 May, 2018 BURIRAM UNITED (THA) 3-2 (1-0) JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS FC (KOR)
08 May, 2018 TIANJIN QUANJIAN FC (CHN) 0-0 (0-0) GUANGZHOU EVERGRANDE FC (CHN)
09 May, 2018 KASHIMA ANTLERS (JPN) 3-1 (1-0) SHANGHAI SIPG FC (CHN)
09 May, 2018 ULSAN HYUNDAI FC (KOR) 1-0 (0-0) SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR)
15 May, 2018 JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS FC (KOR) 2-0 (1-0) BURIRAM UNITED (THA)
15 May, 2018 GUANGZHOU EVERGRANDE FC (CHN) 2-2 (1-1) TIANJIN QUANJIAN FC (CHN)
16 May, 2018 SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR) 3-0 (2-0) ULSAN HYUNDAI FC (KOR)
16 May, 2018 SHANGHAI SIPG FC (CHN) 2-1 (1-1) KASHIMA ANTLERS (JPN)
QUARTER-FINALS
28 Aug, 2018 KASHIMA ANTLERS (JPN) 2-0 (0-0) TIANJIN QUANJIAN FC (CHN)
29 Aug, 2018 JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS FC (KOR) 0-3 (0-0) SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR)
18 Sep, 2018 TIANJIN QUANJIAN FC (CHN) 0-3 (0-2) KASHIMA ANTLERS (JPN)
19 Sep, 2018 SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR) 0-3 a.e.t. (0-3,0-1) 4-2 PSO JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS FC (KOR)
SEMI-FINALS
03 Oct, 2018 KASHIMA ANTLERS (JPN) 3-2 (1-2) SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR)
24 Oct, 2018 SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR) 3-3 (0-1) KASHIMA ANTLERS (JPN)
FINAL
122
NO. NAME MA
44 Kim Youngha KOR
45 Kwak Seungsoon KOR
46 Park Sangjun KOR
47 Song Bongkeun KOR
48 Yoon Kwangyeol KOR
49 Alabakry, Mohammed Maki A KSA
50 Alshalwai Abdulah Mutlaq A KSA
51 Alshammari Khalaf Zaid M KSA
52 Fahad Awaiedh F Alumri KSA
53 Azman Bin Ismail MAS
54 Mohamad Mu Azi Bin Zainal Abidin MAS
55 Mohd Yusri Bin Muhamad MAS
56 Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al Jardani OMA
57 Al Ghafri Hamed Talib Saif OMA
58 Al-Amri Abu Bakar Salim Mahad OMA
59 Rashid Hamed Ali Al Ghaithi OMA
60 Juma Mohammed K H Al-Burshaid QAT
61 Mohammad Jaber A H Dharman QAT
62 Ramzan Saeed M A Al-Naemi QAT
63 Saoud Ahmed S A Almaqaleh QAT
64 Taleb Salem H A Al-Marri QAT
65 Yousuf Aref M A Al-Shamari QAT
66 Lee Tzu Liang SIN
67 Ronnie Koh Min Kiat (Ronnie Gu Minjie) SIN
68 Deniye Gedara Palitha Parakkrama Hemathunga SRI
69 Loku Kasthotage Iran Udayakantha SRI
70 Palliya Guruge Priyanga Namal SRI
71 Wellabada Hewage Don Sanjeewa Premalal SRI
72 Husam Alhamad Alfrih SYR
73 Zakariya Kanat SYR
74 Ahmed Saeed Ahmed Alasal Alrashdi UAE
75 Hasan Mohamed Hasan Abdulla Almahri UAE
76 Mohamed Ahmed Yousef Abdulla Alhammadi UAE
77 Zayed Dawood Salman Kamal UAE
78 Gaynullin Timur UZB
79 Abdukhamidullo Rasulov UZB
80 Jakhongir Saidov UZB
81 Serazitdinov Ruslan UZB
82 Khusniddin Shodmonov UZB
83 Andrey Tsapenko UZB
84 Alisher Usmanov UZB
Goalkeepers
126
Defenders
Shoji (3)
Kashima Antlers
Kamal (11)
Persepolis
128
Attackers
Serginho (18)
Kashima Antlers
Pato (10)
Tianjin Quanjian
Video highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqw_ur5KpW4
Open Play
1 Oscar SHANGHAI SIPG v Ulsan - 38’ Long Range Shot
Video highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61XP_npsWdc
132
AFC Champions League 2018: Technical Report 133
134
PREVIOUS
WINNERS
Final
First Leg
Al-Hilal (KSA) 1-1 Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)
18/11/17
(Khribin 37) (Rafael Silva 7)
King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh
Second Leg
Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) 1-0 Al-Hilal (KSA)
25/11/17
(Rafael Silva 88)
Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama
Urawa Red Diamonds win 2-1 on aggregate
Final
First Leg
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) 2-1 Al Ain (UAE)
19/11/16
(Leonardo 70, 77) (Asprilla 63)
Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju
Second Leg
Al Ain (UAE) 1-1 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR)
26/11/16
(Lee Myung-joo 34) (Han Kyo-won 30)
Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors win 3-2 on aggregate
136
2015 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN)
Final
First Leg
07/11/15 Al Ahli (UAE) 0-0 Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN)
Al Rashid Stadium, Dubai
Second Leg
Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN) 1-0 Al Ahli (UAE)
21/11/15
(Elkeson 64)
Tianhe Stadium, Guangzhou
Guangzhou Evergrande win 1-0 on aggregate
Final
First Leg
Western Sydney Wanderers (AUS) 1-0 Al Hilal (KSA)
25/10/14
(Tomi Juric 64)
Parramatta Stadium, Sydney
Second Leg
01/11/14 Al Hilal (KSA) 0-0 Western Sydney Wanderers (AUS)
King Fahad International Stadium, Riyadh
Western Sydney Wanderers win 1-0 on aggregate
Final
First Leg
FC Seoul (KOR) 2-2 Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN)
26/10/13
(Sergio Escudero 11, Dejan Damjanovic 83) (Elkeson 30, Gao Lin 58)
Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul
Second Leg
Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN) FC Seoul (KOR)
09/11/13 1-1
(Elkeson 58) (Dejan Damjanovic 63)
Guangzhou Tianhe Stadium, Guangzhou
Aggregate score 3-3. Guangzhou Evergrande win on away goals
Final
Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) 3-0 Al Ahli (KSA)
10/11/12
(Kwak Tae-hwi 13, Rafinha 68, Kim Seung-yong 75)
Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, Ulsan
138
2011 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Al Sadd (QAT)
Final
Final
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (KOR) 3-1 Zobahan (IRN)
13/11/10
(Sasa Ognenovski 29, Cho Byung-kuk 53, Kim Cheol-ho 83) (Mohammadreza Khalatbari 67)
National Stadium, Tokyo
Final
Al Ittihad (KSA) 1-2 Pohang Steelers (KOR)
07/11/09
(Mohammed Noor 74) (No Byung-jun 57, Kim Hyung-il 66)
Final Final
First Leg First Leg
Gamba Osaka (JPN) 3-0 Adelaide United (AUS) Sepahan (IRN) 1-1 Urawa Reds (JPN)
07/11/07
(Lucas 37, Yasuhito (Mahmoud Karimi 47) (Robson Ponte 45)
05/11/08
Endo 43, Michihiro Foolad Shahr Stadium, Esfahan
Yasuda 68) Second Leg
Expo ’70 Commemorative Stadium, Osaka Urawa Reds (JPN) 2-0 Sepahan (IRN)
Second Leg 14/11/07 (Yuichiro Nagai 22,
Yuki Abe 71)
Gamba Osaka (JPN)
12/11/08 Adelaide United (AUS) 0-2 Saitama World Cup Stadium, Saitama
(Lucas 4, 14)
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide Urawa Reds win 3-1 on aggregate
140
2006 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2005 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) Al Ittihad (KSA)
Final Final
First Leg First Leg
Jeonbuk Hyundai 2-0 Al Karama (SYR) Al Ain (UAE) 1-1 Al Ittihad (KSA)
26/10/05
Motors (KOR) (Ali Msarri 50) (Mohamed Kallon 85)
01/11/06
(Yeom Ki-hun 59, Botti Tahnon Bin Mohammed Stadium, Al Ain
90+1) Second Leg
Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju Al Ittihad (KSA) 4-2 Al Ain (UAE)
Second Leg (Mohamed Kallon 2, (Shehab Ahmed 55-pen,
05/11/05 Mohammed Noor 33, Luis Tejada 90)
Al Karama (SYR) 2-1 Jeonbuk Hyundai
Joseph-Desire Job 57,
08/11/06 (Iyad Mando 54, Mohanad Motors (KOR)
Ahmed Dokhi 69)
Ibrahim 60) (Ze Carlo 88)
Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah
Khaled bin Al Walid Stadium, Homs
Al Ittihad win 5-3 on aggregate
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors win 3-2 on aggregate
Final Final
First Leg First Leg
Al Ittihad (KSA) 1-3 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma Al Ain (UAE) 2-0 BEC Tero Sasana (THA)
(Redha Tukar 28) (KOR) 03/10/03 (Salam Jawhar 40,
24/11/04
(Denis Laktionov 27, Kim Do-
Mohammed Omar 75)
hoon 81, Jang Hak-young 90)
Tahnon bin Mohammed Stadium, Al Ain
Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah
Second Leg
Second Leg
BEC Tero Sasana 1-0 Al Ain (UAE)
Al Ittihad (KSA)
(THA
Seongnam Ilhwa (Redha Tukar 27, Hamzah 11/10/03
01/12/04 0-5 (Therdsak Chaiman
Chunma (KOR) Idris 45, Mohammed Noor
55, 78, Manaf Abushgeer 90) 60-pen)
Seongnam Sports Complex, Seongnam Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
Al Ittihad win 6-3 on aggregate Al Ain win 2-1 on aggregate
CO-OPTED
MS. CRISTINA D'ALESSIO LAGARDERE SPORTS
MEMBER
DEPUTY
MR. OBAID MUBARAK OBAID AL SHAMSI UAE
CHAIRPERSON
142
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Editorial Group
Andy Roxburgh
Graham Turner
Colin Gibson
Production Team
Helen Summers
Ian Griffiths
Tom Engelhardt
Nadia Jamil
Benjamin Lam
Zainol Talep
Hazimi Halim
Doyle De Costa
Technical Administration
Nur Syafiah Woo (Technical Division)
Khalid Idris (Technical Division)
Jose Carpio (Technical Division)
Pictures
Asian Football Confederation & Lagardère Sports