2020 AFC Champions League group stage
The 2020 AFC Champions League group stage commenced on 10 February 2020.[1] A total of 32 teams compete in the group stage to decide the 16 places in the knockout stage of the 2020 AFC Champions League.[2]
The competition has been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic until at least the end of June 2020.[3]
Draw
The draw for the group stage was held in 10 December 2019, 16:30 MYT (UTC+8), at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[4] The 32 teams were drawn into eight groups of four: four groups each in the West Region (Groups A–D) and the East Region (Groups E–H). Teams from the same association could not be drawn into the same group.
The mechanism of the draw was as follows:[5]
- For the West Region, there was no associations draw due to country protection. A draw was held for each of the four associations with more than one direct entrant (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran) to determine for each team their group positions:
- The three direct entrants of the United Arab Emirates were drawn to positions A1, B2, or C3, while the play-off winners West 1 (which their play-off team may advance from) were allocated to position D4.
- The three direct entrants of Saudi Arabia were drawn to positions B1, C2, or D3, while the play-off winners West 2 (which their play-off team may advance from) were allocated to position A4.
- The two direct entrants of Qatar were drawn to positions C1 or D2, while the play-off winners West 3 and 4 (which their play-off teams may advance from) were drawn to positions A3 or B4.
- The two direct entrants of Iran were drawn to positions D1 or C4.
- The direct entrants of Uzbekistan and Iraq were allocated to positions B3 and A2 respectively.
- For the East Region, a draw was held for the two associations with three direct entrants (South Korea, China) to determine the order of associations. After the associations draw, a draw was held for each of the four associations with more than one direct entrant (South Korea, China, Japan, Australia) to determine for each team their group positions:
- The three direct entrants of the first association drawn (South Korea or China) were drawn to positions E1, F2, or G3, while the play-off winners East 1 or 2 (which their play-off team may advance from) were allocated to position H4.
- The three direct entrants of the second association drawn (South Korea or China) were drawn to positions F1, G2, or H3, while the play-off winners East 1 or 2 (which their play-off team may advance from) were allocated to position E4.
- The two direct entrants of Japan were drawn to positions G1 or H2, while the play-off winners East 3 and 4 (which their play-off teams may advance from) were either allocated to F4 and E3 respectively (if South Korea were the first association drawn), or drawn to positions E3 or F4 (if China were the first association drawn).
- The two direct entrants of Australia were either drawn to positions H1 or F3 (if South Korea were the first association drawn, or if China were the first association drawn and the play-off winners East 4 were drawn to position E3), or positions H1 or E2 (if China were the first association drawn and the play-off winners East 3 were drawn to position E3).
- The direct entrants of Thailand and Malaysia were allocated to either positions G4 and E2 (if South Korea were the first association drawn), positions F3 and G4 (if China were the first association drawn and the play-off winners East 4 were drawn to position E3), or positions E2 and G4 (if China were the first association drawn and the play-off winners East 3 were drawn to position E3) respectively.
The following 32 teams enter into the group stage draw, which include the 24 direct entrants and the eight winners of the play-off round of the qualifying play-offs, whose identity was not known at the time of the draw.
| Region | Groups | Teams | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Region |
A–D |  |
|
|
(Winners of Play-off West 1) |
 |
|
|
(Winners of Play-off West 2) | ||
 |
|
 |
 | ||
 |
|
(Winners of Play-off West 4) |
(Winners of Play-off West 3) | ||
| East Region |
E–H |  |
|
|
(Winners of Play-off East 1) |
 |
|
|
(Winners of Play-off East 2) | ||
 |
|
(Winners of Play-off East 3) |
 | ||
.svg.png){kind=small} |
|
(Winners of Play-off East 4) |
 | ||
Format
In the group stage, each group is played on a home-and-away round-robin basis. The winners and runners-up of each group advance to the round of 16 of the knockout stage.
Tiebreakers
The teams are ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss). If tied on points, tiebreakers are applied in the following order (Regulations Article 10.5):[2]
- Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Away goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- If more than two teams are tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams are still tied, all head-to-head criteria above are reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams;
- Goal difference in all group matches;
- Goals scored in all group matches;
- Penalty shoot-out if only two teams playing each other in the last round of the group are tied;
- Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points);
- Association ranking.
Schedule
The schedule of each match day is as follows.[1][6]
- Matches in the West Region are played on Mondays and Tuesdays. Two groups are played on each day, with the following groups being played on Mondays:
- Matchdays 1 and 2: Groups A and B
- Matchday 3: Groups A and C
- Matchday 4: Groups B and D
- Matchdays 5 and 6: Groups C and D
- Matches in the East Region are played on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Two groups are played on each day, with the following groups being played on Tuesdays:
- Matchdays 1 and 2: Groups E and F
- Matchday 3: Groups E and G
- Matchday 4: Groups F and H
- Matchdays 5 and 6: Groups G and H
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only 27 group stage matches had been played before the AFC announced on 14 April 2020 that all matches and competitions scheduled to take place in May and June would be postponed until further notice.[3]
| Matchday | Original dates | Original scheduled matches |
|---|---|---|
| Matchday 1 | 10–12 February 2020 (12 matches played, 4 postponed) | Team 1 vs. Team 4, Team 3 vs. Team 2 |
| Matchday 2 | 17–19 February 2020 (13 matches played, 3 postponed) | Team 4 vs. Team 3, Team 2 vs. Team 1 |
| Matchday 3 | 2–4 March 2020 (2 matches played, 14 postponed) | Team 4 vs. Team 2, Team 1 vs. Team 3 |
| Matchday 4 | 6–8 April 2020 (all 16 matches postponed) | Team 2 vs. Team 4, Team 3 vs. Team 1 |
| Matchday 5 | 20–22 April 2020 (all 16 matches postponed) | Team 4 vs. Team 1, Team 2 vs. Team 3 |
| Matchday 6 | 4–6 May 2020 (all 16 matches postponed) | Team 1 vs. Team 2, Team 3 vs. Team 4 |
Groups
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | AHL | WAH | EST | SHO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4[lower-alpha 1] | Round of 16 | — | TBD | 2–1 | TBD | |
| 2 | |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4[lower-alpha 1] | 1–1 | — | TBD | TBD | ||
| 3 | |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 1[lower-alpha 2] | TBD | TBD | — | TBD | ||
| 4 | |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 1[lower-alpha 2] | TBD | 0–1 | 1–1 | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 17 February 2020. Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
- Head-to-head away goals: Al-Ahli 1, Al-Wahda 0.
- Head-to-head away goals: Esteghlal 1, Al-Shorta 0.
| Al-Wahda | 1–1 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Live Report Stats Report |
|
| Al-Ahli | 2–1 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Live Report Stats Report |
|
Attendance: 6,740
Referee: Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | PAK | HIL | SAH | SHK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 6 | Round of 16 | — | TBD | 2–1 | 3–0 | |
| 2 | |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 6 | TBD | — | TBD | 2–0 | ||
| 3 | |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 0 | TBD | 1–2 | — | TBD | ||
| 4 | |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | −5 | 0 | TBD | TBD | TBD | — |
| Pakhtakor | 2–1 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Live Report Stats Report |
|
| Al-Hilal | 2–0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Live Report Stats Report |
Attendance: 3,801
Referee: Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)
| Shabab Al-Ahli | 1–2 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Live Report Stats Report |
|
| Shabab Al-Ahli | v | |
|---|---|---|
| Live Report Stats Report |
| Shahr Khodro | v | |
|---|---|---|
| Live Report Stats Report |
| Shabab Al-Ahli | v | |
|---|---|---|
| Live Report Stats Report |
| Al-Hilal | v | |
|---|---|---|
| Live Report Stats Report |
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | TAW | DUH | PRS | SHJ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 6 | Round of 16 | — | 2–0 | TBD | TBD | |
| 2 | |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | TBD | — | 2–0 | TBD | ||
| 3 | |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 1[lower-alpha 1] | TBD | TBD | — | TBD | ||
| 4 | |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 1[lower-alpha 1] | 0–1 | TBD | 2–2 | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 18 February 2020. Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
- Head-to-head away goals: Persepolis 2, Sharjah 0.
| Sharjah | 2–2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Live Report Stats Report |
|
| Al-Taawoun | 2–0 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Live Report Stats Report |
Group D
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | SAD | NAS | SEP | AIN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 4[lower-alpha 1] | Round of 16 | — | TBD | 3–0 | TBD | |
| 2 | |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4[lower-alpha 1] | 2–2 | — | TBD | TBD | ||
| 3 | |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 3 | TBD | TBD | — | TBD | ||
| 4 | |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | −5 | 0 | TBD | 1–2 | 0–4 | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 18 February 2020. Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
- Head-to-head away goals: Al-Sadd 2, Al-Nassr 0.
| Al-Ain | 1–2 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Live Report Stats Report |
Group E
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | SEO | BEI | MVC | CHI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3[lower-alpha 1] | Round of 16 | — | TBD | 1–0 | TBD | |
| 2 | |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3[lower-alpha 1] | TBD | — | TBD | TBD | ||
| 3 | |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3[lower-alpha 1] | TBD | TBD | — | 1–0 | ||
| 4 | |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 0 | TBD | 0–1 | TBD | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 18 February 2020. Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
- Head-to-head points, goal differences: FC Seoul 3 (+1), Beijing FC 0 (0), Melbourne Victory 0 (–1).
Group F
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | TOK | ULS | SSH | PRG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | Round of 16 | — | TBD | TBD | 1–0 | |
| 2 | |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1–1 | — | TBD | TBD | ||
| 3 | |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TBD | TBD | — | TBD | ||
| 4 | |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0 | TBD | TBD | TBD | — |
Group G
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | VIS | JDT | GZE | SUW | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 6 | Round of 16 | — | 5–1 | TBD | TBD | |
| 2 | |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 3 | TBD | — | TBD | 2–1 | ||
| 3 | |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TBD | TBD | — | TBD | ||
| 4 | |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0 | 0–1 | TBD | TBD | — |
Group H
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | YOK | JEO | SYD | SSI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 6 | Round of 16 | — | TBD | 4–0 | TBD | |
| 2 | |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 1[lower-alpha 1] | 1–2 | — | TBD | TBD | ||
| 3 | |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 1[lower-alpha 1] | TBD | 2–2 | — | TBD | ||
| 4 | |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TBD | TBD | TBD | — |
- Head-to-head away goals: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2, Sydney FC 0.
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 1–2 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Live Report Stats Report |
|
Attendance: 6,546
| Sydney FC | 2–2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Live Report Stats Report |
|
Notes
- The identity of the second group stage team from Japan was not known at the time of the group stage draw.
- The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran received a letter from the Asian Football Confederation on 17 January 2020 announcing that teams from Iran would not be allowed to host their home matches in their country due to security concerns.[7][8] The four AFC Champions League teams from Iran announced on 18 January 2020 that they would withdraw from the tournament if the ban was not reversed.[9][10] The AFC announced on 23 January 2020 that any group stage matches which the Iranian teams were supposed to host on matchdays 1, 2 and 3 would be switched with the corresponding away matches to allow time to reassess the security concerns in the country.[11][12][13]
- Al-Shorta play their home matches at Franso Hariri Stadium, Erbil, instead of their regular home stadium Al-Shaab Stadium, Baghdad.
- Matches between teams from Iran and Saudi Arabia are played on neutral venues due to deterioration of Iran–Saudi Arabia relations.
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia, the following matches were postponed to a later date between late February and early March:[14][15]
- Group A: Al-Ahli v Al-Shorta and Al-Wahda v Esteghlal (2 March 2020)
- Group B: Al-Hilal v Pakhtakor and Shabab Al-Ahli v Shahr Khodro (3 March 2020)
- Group C: Persepolis v Al-Taawoun and Al-Duhail v Sharjah (2 March 2020)
- Group D: Al-Ain v Al-Sadd and Sepahan v Al-Nassr (3 March 2020), Al-Nassr v Sepahan (6 April 2020)
- Group E: FC Seoul v Chiangrai United (3 March 2020)
- Group F: Perth Glory v Ulsan Hyundai (18 March 2020)
- After meetings with representatives of the member associations from the West Region held on 7–8 March 2020, it was agreed that all West Region group stage matches on matchdays 4–6 would be postponed to new dates yet to be confirmed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia.[16]
- The AFC announced on 29 January 2020 that the group stage matches which Chinese teams were supposed to host on matchdays 1, 2, and 3 would be switched with the corresponding away matches due to the COVID-19 pandemic in China.[17][18] After the Australian federal government banned foreigners travelling from China, Football Federation Australia told the AFC that Australia could no longer host matches against Chinese teams.[19] The AFC held an emergency meeting on 4 February 2020 to determine plans for the tournament, including but not limited to re-scheduling of matches in the East Region.[20] After the meeting, the AFC decided to postpone matches involving Chinese clubs from the first three match days except for Chiangrai United versus Beijing FC:[21][22]
- Group E: FC Seoul v Beijing FC (from 11 February to 28 April 2020), Melbourne Victory v Beijing FC (from 3 March to 28 May 2020)
- Group F: Perth Glory v Shanghai Shenhua (from 11 February to 28 April 2020), Ulsan Hyundai v Shanghai Shenhua (from 18 February to 19 May 2020), FC Tokyo v Shanghai Shenhua (from 4 March to 27 May 2020)
- Group G: Suwon Samsung Bluewings v Guangzhou Evergrande (from 12 February to 29 April 2020), Johor Darul Ta'zim v Guangzhou Evergrande (from 19 February to 20 May 2020), Vissel Kobe v Guangzhou Evergrande (from 3 March to 26 May 2020)
- Group H: Sydney FC v Shanghai SIPG (from 12 February to 29 April 2020), Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors v Shanghai SIPG (from 19 February to 20 May 2020), Yokohama F. Marinos v Shanghai SIPG (from 4 March to 27 May 2020)
- After a meeting with representatives of the member associations from the East Region held on 2 March 2020, it was agreed that group stage matches on matchdays 3–6 which could not be played would be moved to the following dates:[24]
- Matchday 3: from 3–4 March to 19–20 May
- Matchday 4: from 7–8 April to 26–27 May
- Matdhday 5: from 21–22 April to 16–17 June
- Matchday 6: from 5–6 May to 23–24 June
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, the order of matches between Ulsan Hyundai and Perth Glory was switched. The first match, originally to be hosted by Ulsan Hyundai on 4 March 2020, would instead be hosted by Perth Glory on 18 March 2020,[25][14] but it was later postponed.[15]
References
- "AFC Competitions Calendar 2020". AFC. 6 December 2019.
- "2020 AFC Champions League Competition Regulations" (PDF). AFC.
- "AFC extends postponement of all matches and competitions". AFC. 14 April 2020.
- "ACL2020 draw sets stage for spectacular affair". AFC. 10 December 2019.
- "#ACL2020 & #AFCCup2020 - Preview Show". AFC. 9 December 2019.
- "AFC Champions League 2020 Official Match Schedule". AFC.
- "اطلاعیه روابط عمومی". Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran. 17 January 2020.
- "Another blow to Iranian sport as AFC ban country from hosting Champions League football". Inside The Games. 17 January 2020.
- "Iranian football teams stand against AFC's decision". Tehran Times. 18 January 2020.
- "Iran: 'Clubs to quit AFC Champions League over home game ban'". BBC Sport. 18 January 2020.
- "AFC Statement". AFC. 23 January 2020.
- "Iran: Clubs back down on Asian champions League boycott". BBC Sport. 23 January 2020.
- "AFC Statement on AFC Champions League Group Stage matches". AFC. 29 January 2019.
- "AFC calls for emergency meetings with National and Club representatives". Asian Football Confederation. 27 February 2020.
- "AFC Competitions update". AFC. 9 March 2020.
- "AFC Emergency Meetings conclude in Doha and Dubai". AFC. 8 March 2020.
- "AFC Statement on AFC Champions League Group Stage matches". AFC. 29 January 2020.
- "亚足联正式确认亚冠主客对调 中超球队开局三连客" (in Chinese). Sina Sports. 29 January 2020.
- "Sydney, Perth unable to host AFC Champions League fixtures". Special Broadcasting Service. 2 February 2020.
- "Meeting on AFC Champions League Group Stage matches to be held". AFC. 2 February 2020.
- "Decisions of AFC Emergency Meeting in Kuala Lumpur". AFC. 4 February 2020.
- "ACL 2020 Schedule Emergency Meeting Revised Match Dates". AFC. 4 February 2020.
- "亚冠赛程再次调整：恒大国安上港各一场主客对调" (in Chinese). Sina Sports. 16 February 2020.
- "East Zone teams agree to new dates". AFC. 2 March 2020.
- "Asian club football match in S. Korea moved to Australia due to coronavirus". Yonhap News Agency. 27 February 2020.
External links
- AFC Champions League, the-AFC.com
- AFC Champions League 2020, stats.the-AFC.com
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