The 2023–24 AFC Champions League group stage is being played from September 2023 to December 2023.
A total of 40 teams are competing in the group stage to decide the 16 places in the knockout stage of the 2023–24 AFC Champions League.
Draw
The draw for the group stage was held on 24 August 2023 at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[1] The 40 teams were drawn into ten groups of four: five groups each in the West Region (Groups A–E) and the East Region (Groups F–J). For each region, teams were seeded into four pots and drawn into the relevant positions within each group, based on their association ranking and their seeding within their association, in consideration of the technical balance between groups. Teams from the same association could not be drawn into the same group.
Format
In the group stage, each group will be played in a double round-robin format on home and away basis. The winners of each group and three best runners-up from each region advanced to the round of 16 of the knockout stage.
Tiebreakers
The teams were ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss). If tied on points, tiebreakers were applied in the following order (Regulations Article 8.3):[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;
- If more than two teams were tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams were still tied, all head-to-head criteria above were 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 the competition is as follows.[3]
Round | Match Days |
---|---|
Matchday 1 | 18–20 September 2023 |
Matchday 2 | 2–4 October 2023 |
Matchday 3 | 23–25 October 2023 |
Matchday 4 | 6–8 November 2023 |
Matchday 5 | 27–29 November 2023 |
Matchday 6 | 4–6, 12–13 December 2023 |
Groups
The detailed schedule was announced on 24 August 2023 after the draw ceremony.[4] It has been updated on 6 September.[5]
Group A
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | AIN | FEI | PAK | AHA | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Al-Ain | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 9 | +8 | 15 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 4–1 | 1–3 | 4–2 | |
2 | Al-Fayha | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 10 | +2 | 9 | 2–3 | — | 2–0 | 3–1 | ||
3 | Pakhtakor | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 11 | −3 | 7 | 0–3 | 1–4 | — | 3–0 | ||
4 | Ahal | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 13 | −7 | 4 | 1–2 | 1–0 | 1–1 | — |
Pakhtakor | 0–3 | Al-Ain |
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Report |
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Pakhtakor | 3–0 | Ahal |
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Report |
Group B
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | NAS | SAD | SHJ | FAI | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nasaf | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 6 | +4 | 11 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | |
2 | Al Sadd | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 7 | +4 | 8[lower-alpha 1] | 2–2 | — | 0–0 | 6–0 | ||
3 | Sharjah | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 8[lower-alpha 1] | 1–0 | 0–2 | — | 1–0 | ||
4 | Al-Faisaly | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 12 | −7 | 6 | 0–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | — |
Al-Faisaly | 0–1 | Nasaf |
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Report | Abdurakhmatov 90+7' |
Sharjah | 1–0 | Al-Faisaly |
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Marega 20' | Report |
Sharjah | 1–0 | Nasaf |
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Caio Lucas 45+5' | Report |
Al Sadd | 6–0 | Al-Faisaly |
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Report |
Al-Faisaly | 2–0 | Al Sadd |
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Report |
Nasaf | 3–1 | Al-Faisaly |
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Report |
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Al-Faisaly | 2–1 | Sharjah |
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Report | Firas 34' |
Group C
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ITH | SEP | QWJ | AGK | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Al-Ittihad | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | +7 | 15 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 2–1 | 1–0 | 3–0 | |
2 | Sepahan | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 8 | +8 | 10[lower-alpha 1] | 0–3[lower-alpha 2] | — | 1–0 | 9–0 | ||
3 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 7 | +2 | 10[lower-alpha 1] | 2–0 | 2–2 | — | 3–2 | ||
4 | AGMK | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 22 | −17 | 0 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | — |
Al-Ittihad | 3–0 | AGMK |
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Report |
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | 2–2 | Sepahan |
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Report |
AGMK | 1–2 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya |
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Report |
Al-Ittihad | 1–0 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya |
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Report |
Sepahan | 9–0 | AGMK |
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Report |
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | 2–0 | Al-Ittihad |
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Report |
AGMK | 1–2 | Al-Ittihad |
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Report |
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Sepahan | 1–0 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya |
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Report |
Al-Ittihad | 2–1 | Sepahan |
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Report | Rezaeian 48' |
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | 3–2 | AGMK |
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Report |
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Group D
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | HIL | NAV | NAS | MUM | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Al-Hilal | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 2 | +14 | 16 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 1–1 | 2–1 | 6–0 | |
2 | Navbahor | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 6 | +5 | 13 | 0–2 | — | 2–1 | 3–0 | ||
3 | Nassaji Mazandaran | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 10 | −3 | 6 | 0–3 | 1–3 | — | 2–0 | ||
4 | Mumbai City | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 17 | −16 | 0 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 0–2 | — |
Al-Hilal | 1–1 | Navbahor |
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Report |
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Mumbai City | 0–2 | Nassaji Mazandaran |
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Report |
Navbahor | 3–0 | Mumbai City |
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Report |
Navbahor | 2–1 | Nassaji Mazandaran |
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Report |
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Al-Hilal | 6–0 | Mumbai City |
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Report |
Nassaji Mazandaran | 1–3 | Navbahor |
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Report |
Navbahor | 0–2 | Al-Hilal |
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Report |
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Al-Hilal | 2–1 | Nassaji Mazandaran |
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Report |
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Mumbai City | 1–2 | Navbahor |
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Report |
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Group E
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | NSR | PRS | DUH | IST | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Al Nassr | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 7 | +6 | 14 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 0–0 | 4–3 | 3–1 | |
2 | Persepolis | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 0–2 | — | 1–2 | 2–0 | ||
3 | Al-Duhail | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 2–3 | 0–1 | — | 2–0 | ||
4 | Istiklol | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | −6 | 3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–0 | — |
Persepolis | 0–2 | Al Nassr |
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Report |
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Al-Duhail | 0–1 | Persepolis |
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Report | Alishah 63' |
Persepolis | 2–0 | Istiklol |
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Report |
Istiklol | 1–1 | Persepolis |
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Sebai 74' | Report | Torabi 29' |
Al Nassr | 0–0 | Persepolis |
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Report |
Persepolis | 1–2 | Al-Duhail |
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Report |
Group F
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | UTD | JBH | LCS | KIT | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bangkok United | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 8 | +3 | 13 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 3–2 | 1–0 | 1–1 | |
2 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 12 | 3–2 | — | 3–0 | 2–1 | ||
3 | Lion City Sailors | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 9 | −4 | 6 | 1–2 | 2–0 | — | 0–2 | ||
4 | Kitchee | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 9 | −2 | 4 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | — |
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 2–1 | Kitchee |
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Report |
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Lion City Sailors | 1–2 | Bangkok United |
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Report |
Bangkok United | 3–2 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
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Report |
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Kitchee | 1–2 | Lion City Sailors |
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Report |
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 3–0 | Lion City Sailors |
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Report |
Kitchee | 1–2 | Bangkok United |
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Report |
Lion City Sailors | 2–0 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
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Report |
Bangkok United | 1–1 | Kitchee |
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Report |
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Kitchee | 1–2 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
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Report |
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Lion City Sailors | 0–2 | Kitchee |
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Report |
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Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 3–2 | Bangkok United |
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Report |
Group G
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | FMA | SHT | ICN | KAY | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yokohama F. Marinos | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 7 | +5 | 12[lower-alpha 1] | Advance to round of 16 | — | 3–0 | 2–4 | 3–0 | |
2 | Shandong Taishan | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 7 | +7 | 12[lower-alpha 1] | 0–1 | — | 3–1 | 6–1 | ||
3 | Incheon United | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 9 | +5 | 12[lower-alpha 1] | 2–1 | 0–2 | — | 4–0 | ||
4 | Kaya–Iloilo | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 21 | −17 | 0 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — |
Yokohama F. Marinos | 2–4 | Incheon United |
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Report |
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Kaya–Iloilo | 1–3 | Shandong Taishan |
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Report |
Shandong Taishan | 0–1 | Yokohama F. Marinos |
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Report |
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Yokohama F. Marinos | 3–0 | Kaya–Iloilo |
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Report |
Shandong Taishan | 3–1 | Incheon United |
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Report |
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Kaya–Iloilo | 1–2 | Yokohama F. Marinos |
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Report |
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Incheon United | 2–1 | Yokohama F. Marinos |
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Report |
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Shandong Taishan | 6–1 | Kaya–Iloilo |
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Report |
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Yokohama F. Marinos | 3–0 | Shandong Taishan |
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Report |
Kaya–Iloilo | 1–3 | Incheon United |
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Report |
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Group H
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | VEN | MCY | ZHP | BUR | |
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1 | Ventforet Kofu | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 8 | +3 | 11 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 3–3 | 4–1 | 1–0 | |
2 | Melbourne City | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 9 | 0–0 | — | 1–1 | 0–1 | ||
3 | Zhejiang | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 13 | −4 | 7 | 2–0 | 1–2 | — | 3–2 | ||
4 | Buriram United | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 10 | −1 | 6 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 4–1 | — |
Ventforet Kofu | 1–0 | Buriram United |
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Report |
Zhejiang | 2–0 | Ventforet Kofu |
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Report |
Ventforet Kofu | 4–1 | Zhejiang |
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Report |
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Melbourne City | 0–1 | Buriram United |
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Report |
Zhejiang | 3–2 | Buriram United |
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Report |
Melbourne City | 1–1 | Zhejiang |
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Group I
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | KWF | UHD | JDT | BGP | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kawasaki Frontale | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 6 | +11 | 16 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 1–0 | 5–0 | 4–2 | |
2 | Ulsan Hyundai | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 8 | +4 | 10 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 3–1 | ||
3 | Johor Darul Ta'zim | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 13 | −2 | 9 | 0–1 | 2–1 | — | 4–1 | ||
4 | BG Pathum United | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 22 | −13 | 0 | 2–4 | 1–3 | 2–4 | — |
Ulsan Hyundai | 3–1 | BG Pathum United |
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Ádám 28', 73', 78' | Report | Stewart 41' |
BG Pathum United | 2–4 | Johor Darul Ta'zim |
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Report |
Ulsan Hyundai | 3–1 | Johor Darul Ta'zim |
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Report |
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BG Pathum United | 2–4 | Kawasaki Frontale |
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Report |
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Kawasaki Frontale | 4–2 | BG Pathum United |
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Report |
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Johor Darul Ta'zim | 2–1 | Ulsan Hyundai |
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Report |
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BG Pathum United | 1–3 | Ulsan Hyundai |
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Report |
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Kawasaki Frontale | 5–0 | Johor Darul Ta'zim |
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Report |
Group J
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | POH | RED | HAN | WTT | |
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1 | Pohang Steelers | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 5 | +9 | 16 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 2–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | |
2 | Urawa Red Diamonds | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 7 | 0–2 | — | 6–0 | 2–1 | ||
3 | Hanoi FC | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 16 | −9 | 6 | 2–4 | 2–1 | — | 2–1 | ||
4 | Wuhan Three Towns | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 11 | −3 | 5 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | — |
Wuhan Three Towns | 2–2 | Urawa Red Diamonds |
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Report |
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Hanoi FC | 2–4 | Pohang Steelers |
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Report |
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Urawa Red Diamonds | 6–0 | Hanoi FC |
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Report |
Pohang Steelers | 3–1 | Wuhan Three Towns |
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Report |
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Wuhan Three Towns | 2–1 | Hanoi FC |
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Report |
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Pohang Steelers | 2–1 | Urawa Red Diamonds |
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Report |
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Hanoi FC | 2–1 | Wuhan Three Towns |
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Report |
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Pohang Steelers | 2–0 | Hanoi FC |
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Lee Ho-jae 33' (pen.) Ha Chang-rae 53' |
Report |
Wuhan Three Towns | 1–1 | Pohang Steelers |
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Report |
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Hanoi FC | 2–1 | Urawa Red Diamonds |
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Report |
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Ranking of second-placed teams
West Region
Pos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | D | Navbahor | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 6 | +5 | 13 | Round of 16 |
2 | C | Sepahan | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 8 | +8 | 10 | |
3 | A | Al-Fayha | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 10 | +2 | 9 | |
4 | B | Al Sadd | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 7 | +4 | 8 | |
5 | E | Persepolis | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
East Region
Pos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | G | Shandong Taishan | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 7 | +7 | 12 | Round of 16 |
2 | F | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 12 | |
3 | I | Ulsan Hyundai | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 8 | +4 | 10 | |
4 | H | Melbourne City | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 9 | |
5 | J | Urawa Red Diamonds | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 7 |
See also
Notes
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Team is not using their own home stadium.
- ↑ The match was abandoned due to the visiting team's protest over the presence of a sculpture of Qasem Soleimani on the pitch.[6] The match was awarded a 3–0 win to Al-Ittihad FC due to Sepahan S.C.'s violation of the rules.[7][8]
- 1 2 After an investigation about displaying a sculpture of Qassem Soleimani during the home match against Ittihad FC, Sepahan S.C. was banned from playing 3 home matches of this competition at Naghsh-e-Jahan Stadium. Since Sepahan qualified for the knockout stage, this ban will include the home leg in the Round of 16.[9]
References
- ↑ "#ACL: Teams learn the path to glory". www.the-afc.com. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ↑ "Competition Regulations AFC Champions League 2023/24" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ↑ "Asian Football Calendar (Aug 2023 – Jul 2024)". The AFC. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ↑ "AFC Champions League Group Stage Draw Results & Match Schedule" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ↑ "AFC Champions League Group Stage Draw Results & Match Schedule (as at 6 September 2023)" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- 1 2 Blow, Tom (2 October 2023). "Al-Ittihad match cancelled as they refuse to play in Iran due to statue by pitch". The Mirror. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
- 1 2 "Iranian club Sepahan penalized over canceled ACL match after Saudi team's walkout". AP News. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
- 1 2 "Al-Ittihad's match against Iran's Sepahan 3-0 for saudi side due to Qassem Soleimani busts in stadium". Arab News. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
- ↑ "Sepahan handed fine, stadium ban after Al-Ittihad cancellation". Reuters. 2023-10-03. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
- 1 2 "Mumbai City To Play AFC Champions League 'Home' Games In Pune". Mumbai City FC. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ↑ "Venue Update: Mumbai City FC vs Al Hilal SFC". Mumbai City FC. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ↑ "Melbourne City relocates Champions League match to Ikon Park". Austadiums. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.