Comfirmed New ACL format

[greenlion]

comfirmed
http://i25.tinypic.com/1zqycg9.jpg

Ranking Country Points Class
1 Japan 470 A
2 Korea Rep 438 B
3 China 415 B
4 Saudi Arebia 359 B
5 UAE 349 B
6 IR Iran 336 B
7 Australia 306 B
8 Indonesia 287 B
9 Singapore 237 C
10 Syria 229 C
11 Uzbekistan 229 C
12 Qatar 226 C
13 Thailand 213 C
14 Jordan 212 B
15 Vietnam 211 C
16 Kuwait 203 C
17 India 199 C
18 Malaysia 179 D
19 Hong Kong 148 D
20 Oman 140 D
21 Bahrain 139 D

[MegaManMV]

interesting, after all the hype in the media.

Australia was only allocated 2 spots, not 4 as previously mentioned.

Makes sense tho.

[Noogie]

nuetral final is a fucken stupid idea.

it works in europe but they dont have anywhere near teh distances fans would be required to travel for a game, and we dont have the history and passion that would see so many fans travel.

imagine melbourne victory and gamba osaka having to travel to the UAE for a final, or sepahan and al ithiad travelling to japan, would be be playing the game in front of nuetrals, it would get a crap crowd.

in a continent the size of asia, a 2 legged final is the best solution.


btw, by chonburi's efforts, i think its a bit harsh to eliminate teams from thailand.

and 1 club from india! what a fucken joke, i guess we will take that, or kuwaits, when we expand.

[Noogie]

IMO, champions of all top countries should be guarenteed spots, and the 3rd and 4th teams from big countries should play the champions of smaller countries.

its too much that the forth team in saudi arabia, or china gets auto qualification.

[discofever]

imagine melbourne victory and gamba osaka having to travel to the UAE for a final, or sepahan and al ithiad, would be be playing the game in front of nuetrals, it would get a crap crowd.

in a continent the size of asia, a 2 legged final is the best solution.

It's really not that bad, if you take Australia out of the equation. I'm sure the neutral ground would be somewhere inbetween both countries in the finals

[Wheelbarrow]

nuetral final is a fucken stupid idea.

it works in europe but they dont have anywhere near teh distances fans would be required to travel for a game, and we dont have the history and passion that would see so many fans travel.

imagine melbourne victory and gamba osaka having to travel to the UAE for a final, or sepahan and al ithiad travelling to japan, would be be playing the game in front of nuetrals, it would get a crap crowd.

in a continent the size of asia, a 2 legged final is the best solution.


btw, by chonburi's efforts, i think its a bit harsh to eliminate teams from thailand.

and 1 club from india! what a fucken joke, i guess we will take that, or kuwaits, when we expand.

agree with the nuetral final...2 legs would be better IMO
chonburi's efforts weren't...that great...while they have outplaved the thai teams before them...they only have one victory...and it was against the team currently in last place...and they could still easily finish last in the group...

having said that...i'd like to see less auto qualification places and more play offs from the big contries, giving a few more spots to smaller/ weaker football nations.

take one spot off china, korea and japan and create more oppurunities for australia (especially if the comp is to be expanded) and other nations who don't have a spot, or give us 1 or 2 spots in the AFC cup.

its like giving europe and south america 26 world cup spots and telling asia, africa and north america to fight it out for the final 6 spots...all confederations have a means of direct qualification...should be the same for this cup comp.

has anything been said about how many teams from each group will qualify...i'm more concerned about that.

[dudditz]

Uzbekistan just getting one spot in the playoffs is a joke as their top two teams are certainly on par with any of the strongest in Asia. I think we deserve three spots providing we expand to ten teams with the possibility of four in the future.

[dav1878]

is this new format for next year or later on in the future?

[NUFCMVFC]

Any talk regarding the amount of prize money dished out for winning + getting out of group stage etc

Good that top two teams go through

I don't suppose we'll be in a position where the current champs etc can go through?


Exciting schedule for new ACL

KUALA LUMPUR: The 2009 AFC Champions League action will start with the play-offs in February before moving onto the group stage and culminating in the grand finale in November, according to the schedule proposed by the AFC Pro-League Ad-Hoc Committee on Tuesday.

The format of the competition (PDF download below) will see the first play-off – involving one team from Syria, Uzbekistan, Qatar and the AFC Cup 2008 finalist – take place on February 18 2009, followed by the second play-off – featuring one team from Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the other AFC Cup 2008 finalist – on February 25.

The winners of both play-offs join the main competition which will see six group stage rounds on March 11, March 18, April 8, April 22, May 6, and May 20. The group stage will see a double round-robin of 96 matches.

The group stage will be followed by the round of 16 for West teams on May 27, and the round of 16 for East teams on June 24. The round of 16 are straight knockout games.

An open draw will decide the home-and-away last eight pairings and quarter-final 1 is scheduled for either September 23 or 24 while quarter-final 2 will take place on September 30.

The semi-final 1 is slated for October 21 followed by the semi-final 2 on October 28, both home-and-away, before the single-leg final at a neutral venue on November 6 or 7.

Download the New ACL Competition Format
AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2009
PROPOSED MATCH SCHEDULE

Play off 1: 18 February
Play off 2: 25 February

Group stage 1: 11 March
Group stage 2: 18 March
Group stage 3: 8 April
Group stage 4: 22 April
Group stage 5: 6 May
Group stage 6: 20 May
Round of 16 (West): 27 May
Round of 16 (East): 24 June
Quarter final 1: 23 or 24 September
Quarter final 2: 30 September
Semi final 1: 21 October
Semi final 2: 28 October
Final 1: 6 or 7 November


I think they should have gone with a home and away round of 16, rather than just a straight knockout personalyl, but nonetheless good that it's there, I gues it was just costs. INteresting that the West and East are a week apart

Also does this document (http://www.the-afc.com/uploads/Documents/common/cms/afc/Format_New_ACL.pdf) mean that we'll always be against Japanese, Korean and Chinese teams due to seeding, we aren't in a position to play Indonesian or AFC Cup finalist teams unless in Knockout Stage?

[greenlion]

is this new format for next year or later on in the future?

for 2009

[Dasher39]

INteresting that the West and East are a week apartThat'd be a month apart mate!!

Also does this document (http://www.the-afc.com/uploads/Documents/common/cms/afc/Format_New_ACL.pdf) mean that we'll always be against Japanese, Korean and Chinese teams due to seeding, we aren't in a position to play Indonesian or AFC Cup finalist teams unless in Knockout Stage?That is probably the case, otherwise you'd have two Japanese/Korean/Chinese teams in some groups and they probably want to avoid that.

[RunnaLittle]

what about only the top team qualifying? Any moves to make it the top 2?

[Dasher39]

what about only the top team qualifying? Any moves to make it the top 2?Yes it will be top 2 as from next year.

[Victory in Sydney]

http://sportal.com.au/football-news-display/aussies-snubbed-in-acl-revamp-48814

2 places next year, however interestingly they say those teams from Aus will likely by CCM and Newcastle. Nothing is confirmed too early in the AFC!

Good though that its not top 4, as half the competition qualifying for Champions league was stupid. More places later when we grow.

[NUFCMVFC]

what about only the top team qualifying? Any moves to make it the top 2?

Yes, top two get through, round of 16 is only one straight match though, no homa and away double, wonder how they'll figure out who gets home ground advantage? Unless it is winner of Group A vs runeer of of Group B, and Winner of Group B vs runner up Group C etc.

Also agree regarding final, we aren't Europe and wouldn't have people travelling heaps just yet, despite growing middle class. Should have kept two legged final system for now IMO

http://sportal.com.au/football-news-display/aussies-snubbed-in-acl-revamp-48814

2 places next year, however interestingly they say those teams from Aus will likely by CCM and Newcastle. Nothing is confirmed too early in the AFC!

Good though that its not top 4, as half the competition qualifying for Champions league was stupid. More places later when we grow.
While it would have been good to get 3 and have QLD Roar in, glad that SFC won't be in it ;)

I think that it is set to be reviewed in 2010, not sure if first season of 10 or 12 teams (2009-10) gets 3 spots though or if it will be implemented in 2011 meaning 2010-11 season for us. Alsowondering who we would take away from, or would 4th CSL and K League spots become qualifying spots along with 3rd and 4th spots for us, and just chuck us in Qualifying round, that scenario would open the possibility of two teams from same country in a group together

Either way, the better professionalisation and higher prize money should be good

[NUFCMVFC]

Scott McIntyre blog.commentary on the issue


Adelaide's ACL wonder ride (http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/blogs/scottmcintyre/adelaides-acl-wonder-ride-119055/)

By Scott McIntyre | 23 May 2008 | 00:18

It’s been a dizzy couple of days for Australia in the Asian sphere with Adelaide United making history by becoming the first A-League side through to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League, Melbourne Victory finishing their campaign on a high and the AFC handing down its blueprint for expansion of the ACL - while confirming there’ll be no increase in the number of Australian clubs in the competition for the next two editions.

Comments (0) | Your thoughts?


Firstly, the good news for the local game is that The Reds have managed to navigate their way out of a tricky group and into the last eight of the continental showpiece. The lessons learned from last season have clearly benefited Aurelio Vidmar’s side – in particular their efforts away from home.

The outcome of the group was arguably established on the opening matchday – Adelaide’s 2-0 win in Korea was ultimately what separated them and Changchun, who could only manage a draw with Pohang. To follow that result in the chill of late winter with a victory in the heat of Vietnam and a draw in North-Eastern China shows Adelaide have learned to adapt to many of the challenges of Asian football.

That they did so with a host of injuries and suspensions at various stages showed tactical flexibility and depth that should hold them in good stead in both the next A-League season and the ACL knockout stage, where the challenge will step up more than just a single rung.

To have avoided the might of Gamba Osaka and Kashima Antlers in the group stage clearly aided the Adelaide push and now, after having got past a side that’s sitting third from bottom in the Chinese Super League and the fifth-best outfit in Korea last year, the South Australians have a chance to measure where they’re really at in the Asian pecking order.

Their first hope should be to avoid the aforementioned J-League clubs plus defending champion Urawa Reds, and perhaps also Saipa and Quruvchi in Saturday’s quarter-final draw – leaving the ideal match-up as being with either Kuwait’s Al Qadisiya or Syrian club Al Karama.

While it won’t make any difference for the next two editions of the ACL in 2009 and 2010, an A-League club reaching the semi-finals will give a vigorous nod to the AFC when the governing body revisits expansion in future years.

Wednesday’s release of the criteria used by the AFC’s Pro-League Ad-Hoc Committee (of which FFA CEO Ben Buckley is a member) to assess participation for the next two years presented mixed news for Australia on several fronts.

Firstly, the decision to delay domestic expansion has cost Australia an extra one, if not two, spots in the new-look 32-team competition. With the AFC ruling that no country can have more than a third of its first division teams involved in the Champions League, an 8-club A-League was hamstrung by numbers – if not appeal.

The rather convoluted mathematical formula used to determine each nation’s ranking had Australia scoring well on many fronts (namely media, game operation and attendance) but also revealed areas where improvement can be made – and there are two of particular interest.

The first is the establishment of a separate body to administer the A-League with its own CEO, and one that is under the eye of an external auditor, but the second is one that will prick excitement amongst those who’ve long supported such a move – a system of promotion and relegation.

Australia is one of only three leading Asian nations not to have a second division in place and while the FFA believes this won’t be an impediment to future ACL participation it’s clearly an outcome the AFC would like to see.

In addition to the prescribed target of having all AFC eligible leagues running a minimum 12-team, 10-month long domestic competition by 2012 the idea of a second tier of Australian football will surely intrigue local supporters.

Who knows, we may even end up with the situation from a couple of years ago in the ACL where a second division side (Japanese Emperor’s Cup winners Tokyo Verdy) were playing against the continental elite.

From a broader Asian perspective, several decisions are sure to raise eyebrows.

Firstly the move to banish Uzbekistan from direct entry into the ACL – despite Pakhtakor becoming almost regular quarter-finalists and Quruvchi carrying the flag into the final eight of the current edition, seems especially harsh. Conversely, the move to admit an Indian club is clearly a step in the right direction.

The AFC may also come to regret its plan to stage the final at a neutral venue – unless one of the few clubs with large, travelling support (Urawa, Arema Malang, Melbourne et al) are involved.

The move to bar the previous year’s champion automatic entry to defend their title is also sure to be met with surprise.

The flipside is that it means one country won’t continue to dominate the competition as the J-League clubs are on course to do in 2008 – unless Adelaide United can halt their progress.

[NUFCMVFC]

Good that it seems the omission and the identifiable targets have spurred Uzbekistand into making a concerted effort to improve

I suppose one good thing about all this criteria etc is that rather than have all these ad hoc leagues with large differences in professionalisation etc, they all have a standard to strive for


Uzbeks certain criteria can be met (http://www.the-afc.com/eng/articles/viewArticle.jsp_166756605.html)

26 May

http://images.the-afc.com/images/common/articleimage/primary/kuruvchi_fans_190.jpg
Kuruvchi have impressed in this year's ACL but there must be a lot of changes to the Uzbekistan league if they are to continue taking part in continental competition.

TASHKENT – The Uzbekistan Football Federation (UFF) is working toward overhauling the country’s domestic league in order to meet the AFC’s criteria for participation in Asian club competition.

Uzbekistan fell short on a number of the criteria that needs to be met in order for their clubs to be allowed entry into the revamped AFC Champions League next year, prompting UFF President Mirabror Usmanov to announce they are looking to set-up a professional league in the country.

The AFC Pro League Committee graded Uzbekistan a ‘C’, the third lowest possible but Usmanov remains confident that the UFF can make the necessary improvements.

The Uzbeks have vowed to set up a professional league overseen by an administrative body made up of representatives from the local clubs and the UFF that will control the competitions, marketing and media of the domestic league, as well as making it compulsory for all club coaches to have the necessary certificates and licenses required under the AFC’s eligibility criteria.

Meanwhile, the Uzbeks are confident that they will have two more FIFA grade referees by 2009, which will bring the number to the required six taking into account the retirement of Rustam Saidov next year.

[Socceroo_06]

I am happy about this because it's important that Uzbekistan get included in this continental competition. They bring with them a different style of play to the rest of Asia and even Australia, and all different styles of football should be celebrated by the AFC.

Another things thats evident like you said NUFCMVFC, is that the new criteria is pushing every league in the AFC to alter their set-up and become more professional. This is a positive thing.

[Dasher39]

Another things thats evident like you said NUFCMVFC, is that the new criteria is pushing every league in the AFC to alter their set-up and become more professional. This is a positive thing.Yep, and this is what The AFC would have had in mind all along. To improve the profressionality of all their leagues across Asia.

Previously there was nothing for Uzbekistan to measure itself against. Now they have a list of what they need to achieve and they appear to be set on meeting that. This can only be a good thing for Football in Asia.

Hopefully more leagues have this attitude and tackle the challenge head on rather than take it as an insult (like many in Australia have).

[shoot goal]

2 Aussie teams is right on the money too. When we have 12 then we can make a claim for 4...

[juanpabloangel]

People should remember that we only have 7 teams, we are lucky to get 2 places... hopefully we will expand and they will continue to count Wellington in the equation even though they can't qualify for the comp as it stands

[juanpabloangel]

Oh and where did the UAE come in that famous survey from the AFC....

[mophead_91]

i didn't know this until today!
great to hear!
top 2 sides going through from each group
will be much more interesting.

[NUFCMVFC]

AFC’s tough stand boosts Pro League (http://www.the-afc.com/eng/articles/viewArticle.jsp_168263854.html)

http://images.the-afc.com/images/common/articleimage/primary/proleague2_190x190.jpg
The Pro League Committee has laid down stringent requirements for Member Associations. AFC file photo by Galvin Tan.

LONDON: AFC may have adopted a soft stance with Member Associations when it comes to Vision Asia. The AFC Professional League, however, is another matter altogether.

AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam said the success of the Pro League, due to be launched in 2009, is hugely dependent on the professionalism of Member Associations and clubs.

As such, a measure of ruthlessness was required, unlike Vision Asia, which was meant to assist countries depending on their current technical and administrative capabilities.

“We had to establish conservative minimum criteria that would allow us to compare leagues and determine which Member Association would be eligible to participate in the AFC Champions League and with how many clubs,” Bin Hammam said during his speech at the Leaders of Football Conference in London.

“In this instance we were not interested in tailoring solutions for our members. We didn’t have to.

“Our primary objective and responsibility was safeguarding and building value into the AFC Champions League. Those who wanted to participate have to accept the definitions and criteria without conditions or exceptions.”

AFC Pro League officials used the English Premier League and other top leagues in Europe as benchmarks for what they wanted to see in Asia.

When initial comparisons were made, the results were somewhat surprising and disappointing.

“We assessed the top 23 members against the said criteria and came out with an amazing result,” said Hammam. “Only one country met all the criteria, and that was Japan.”

However, AFC held firm and refused to lower its requirements. As a result, member associations around Asia scrambled to improve their structures and management methods in order to fulfil AFC's criteria.

“Those that fell below the bar knew exactly what they needed to do,” said Bin Hammam. “I am extremely proud with the commitment some of the Member Associations have shown to comply with the international standards set by the AFC Champions League from 2009.

“This will represent the beginning of the professional age in Asia.”


Good to hear, there is a place for development ehich the AFC Cup can help with but at the same time there is a place for a stringent benchmarks so it gives country's a sense of direction and motivation to improve, I think Uzbekistan is a good case in point as they are now making moves to improve. THis may also help the Oil Leagues to structure themselves a bit better rather than throwing Oil money at pseudo retirees and trying to get Brazilians to become citizens

Only thing I will say though, is that I hope they find a proper balance between well packaged professionalism but still allow for the good un-sanitised and un plastic spirit they still seem to have in much of Asia. Thankfully the Japanese manage to have this a bit, but their culture is accepting of certain relationship structures between fan groups and officials which other societies like ours do not. Cannot say for other countries, but from what I have seen the Indons have some half decent fans and hopefully none of this type thing is detroyed in the push for Professionalism or when more money comes into the Asian game

[shoot goal]

two from a seven(8) team Australian contingent is very generous. Four from nine (10) is unlikely but 4 from a 11(12) team league - provided the quality is there is a little more than what we really could claim.

[dudditz]

We should be clearly on par with the J League in a few years time with all aspects bar promotion/relegation. We will have an advantage with professionalism and exposure due to us being the only English speaking country on show to Europe.

I just don't see us ever having promotion and relegation ever in our country. We are so unique as a nation (huge physical size on par with the USA, China and Russia to an extent) and population spread (Few large cities, few mid sized cities generally big distances apart with nothing but desert and bush in between). The closest league to us in terms of structure and size (admittedly 5-8 years ahead) is the MLS. They are rapidly expanding yet clubs are franchises which you buy in and retain a place in the league despite performance on the field. Each is in a difficult sporting landscape competing just to turn over a profit.

The AFC does not seem to also keep in mind that like the MLS, we have a rather small salary cap when compared with the budgets in the rest of Asia. This means that our competition is easily the most unpredictable in Asia and a system of relagation could be down the the loss of a few key players due to our limited depth and squad size. Relegation for an A-league club could spell disaster as the Australian sporting public don't understand the premise and corprate/public support would plummet. In other words, the criteria set out by the AFC is a great thing in restructuring the leagues in Asia to a general standard. However, the AFC needs to also look at each country and perhaps grant an expception to the rule if enough sufficient evidence could be found.

[NUFCMVFC]

We should be clearly on par with the J League in a few years time with all aspects bar promotion/relegation. We will have an advantage with professionalism and exposure due to us being the only English speaking country on show to Europe.

I just don't see us ever having promotion and relegation ever in our country. We are so unique as a nation (huge physical size on par with the USA, China and Russia to an extent) and population spread (Few large cities, few mid sized cities generally big distances apart with nothing but desert and bush in between). The closest league to us in terms of structure and size (admittedly 5-8 years ahead) is the MLS. They are rapidly expanding yet clubs are franchises which you buy in and retain a place in the league despite performance on the field. Each is in a difficult sporting landscape competing just to turn over a profit.

The AFC does not seem to also keep in mind that like the MLS, we have a rather small salary cap when compared with the budgets in the rest of Asia. This means that our competition is easily the most unpredictable in Asia and a system of relagation could be down the the loss of a few key players due to our limited depth and squad size. Relegation for an A-league club could spell disaster as the Australian sporting public don't understand the premise and corprate/public support would plummet. In other words, the criteria set out by the AFC is a great thing in restructuring the leagues in Asia to a general standard. However, the AFC needs to also look at each country and perhaps grant an expception to the rule if enough sufficient evidence could be found.

Agree, maybe Lowy was giving lip service, but for us to have some kind of promotion and relegation system would be very expensive and significant drain on resources that would be better psent elsewhere, like the youth league or the womens league or helping to further prop up the various national teams, or the development pathway etc

Interestingly, Korea have something called a 'national league', below the K League called the national league


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korea_National_League
.
.
The Korea National League is an amateur football league, below the level of the K-League in South Korea, consisting of fourteen member clubs.
.
.
The league was officially founded in 2003 as the K2 League, to raise the level of competition at amateur level in Korea. Prior to that, various cup competitions were run by the governing body of semi-professional football.
.
.
Promotion Issue

Ever since the creation of the league, hopes had been high that a system of promotion and relegation would be implemented between the league and the K-League, the professional football league in Korea. In 2006, it was agreed that, subject to meeting certain financial requirements, the National League champions would be eligible for promotion. Goyang Kookmin Bank, who triumphed over Gimpo Hallelujah to win the 2006 title, were the first side eligible for promotion, however they controversially rejected the chance to return to the professional ranks.

The team received several threats from the National League ranging from being thrown out of the competition, to fines, to point deductions for the upcoming 2007 season. In the end the side received a points deduction penalty, to be split into ten point deductions in the first and second stages of the 2007 season.

Following the case involving Goyang, teams in the National League signed agreements indicating whether or not they would seek promotion to the K-League if they win the National League in 2007. Ulsan Mipo Dockyard, who won the championship in 2007, also rejected the chance to move up to the K-League despite previously indicating they would seek promotion.

In light of the issues surrounding the conditional promotion place in 2006 and 2007, the National League decided to end the system prior to the 2008 season.


So we may be able to have something similar involving State League clubs rather than trying to create an entirely new division, not to mention that technically even Korea don't have promotion or relegation either, yet I doubt they are going to lose any of their 4 placed over it. I don't see how promotion and relegation itself is going to count against us gaining more spots when we are a 12 team league if we are doing well in all other regards

[TP]

so does the presidents cup - afc cup - champions league pathway still exist?

ie winner of the presidents cup moves their nations clubs into the qualifying pool for the afc cup, while the worst performed team drops back to the presidents cup

same goes for the afc cup, winning nation earns acl spots for their nation, while the worst performed acl nation drops back to the afc cup

[NUFCMVFC]

so does the presidents cup - afc cup - champions league pathway still exist?

ie winner of the presidents cup moves their nations clubs into the qualifying pool for the afc cup, while the worst performed team drops back to the presidents cup

same goes for the afc cup, winning nation earns acl spots for their nation, while the worst performed acl nation drops back to the afc cup

Yes


http://www.the-afc.com/eng/articles/viewArticle.jsp_166625326.html
.
.
The format of the competition (PDF download below) will see the first play-off – involving one team from Syria, Uzbekistan, Qatar and the AFC Cup 2008 finalist – take place on February 18 2009, followed by the second play-off – featuring one team from Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the other AFC Cup 2008 finalist – on February 25.

[NUFCMVFC]

Pro League spurs MAs into action (http://www.the-afc.com/eng/articles/viewArticle.jsp_168297014.html)

http://images.the-afc.com/images/common/articleimage/primary/prez01_190x190.jpg
AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam is happy with the way Member Associations are trying to improve in order to satisfy Pro League criteria.

KUALA LUMPUR: The AFC Pro League’s strict requirements have sent Member Associations scrambling to become more professional and efficient, AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam said.

The Pro League, to be launched in 2009, is open to countries whose clubs are deemed to be professionally run, commercially viable and have a strong fan base.

When the AFC’s stringent criteria were laid down last year, only Japan and J.League clubs fulfilled the requirements.

However, the quest to compete in Asia’s premier club competition has resulted in more associations and clubs racing towards professionalism.

“For the developed member associations, the desire to improve their structures has been there for a long time,” Bin Hammam said.

“There are other countries who are trying to work very hard towards reaching the requirements that we set out.

“This is certainly a good sign. But it will take a few years for some associations to change because, in certain cases, it requires the laws of the country to change.”

Bin Hammam has already stated that clubs who fail to reach the required standards will be barred from competing in the Pro League.

The AFC Pro League Ad Hoc Committee graded countries according to how close they were to Pro League Standards.

During the Leaders of Football Conference in London earlier this month, Bin Hammam praised AFC countries that have shown a willingness to improve themselves.

“I am extremely proud with the commitment some of the Member Associations have shown to comply with the international standards set by the AFC Champions League from 2009.

“This will represent the beginning of the professional age in Asia.”


Once again reiterating why the changes are good

[AUFC_01]

sucks Adelaide cant qualify if they win it this year! The Mariners and Jets will be a laugh to see in the ACL! i think if Melbourne were still in it we could have seen and all Aussie final to be honest.

[nelson111]

how is theFFA dealing with the changes to qualify for the ProLeague? don't we need both relegation/promotion and a clear division between FFA and HAL?

[Kris]

I personally dont agree with the UAE getting 4 spots tho. 3 for UAE and 3 for Aus would be a better decision.

[Elshano12]

sucks Adelaide cant qualify if they win it this year! The Mariners and Jets will be a laugh to see in the ACL! i think if Melbourne were still in it we could have seen and all Aussie final to be honest.


don't you have your own forum to annoy people on?

[AUFC_01]

no coz i like the people on there :)

[Egan]

I personally dont agree with the UAE getting 4 spots tho. 3 for UAE and 3 for Aus would be a better decision.

Money talks...

[Dasher39]

Money talks...Yep, exactly the reason why India was given 1 automatic spot yet Uzbekistan wasn't.

[rhinoceros]

They should model it on the euro CL, especially the 5 year points system, so ie. if EPL clubs bomb out of rueope consistantly for a few years, they get less points and probably a spot taken away from them. Its a fair system.

[NUFCMVFC]

They should model it on the euro CL, especially the 5 year points system, so ie. if EPL clubs bomb out of rueope consistantly for a few years, they get less points and probably a spot taken away from them. Its a fair system.

I think it probably will in time, if Australian clubs are able to make a good account of themselves I think they will get a 3rd and perhaps even 4th spot with one being taken away from the UAE or Korea or something

Anyway, this article from Lynchy regarding Adelaides financial incentives gives a bit of an account of the breakdown of how Prize money is allocated, plus a window into how it is allocated next year too


History beckons Reds as does a big payday (http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/soccer/history-beckons-reds-as-does-a-big-payday/2008/10/21/1224351252131.html)

Michael Lynch
October 22, 2008
Latest related coverage

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ADELAIDE United is tonight on the verge of an historic achievement that could net it more than $2 million — with all A-League clubs set to benefit.

The enormity of the South Australian team's achievement, as it prepares to play Uzbekistan side Kuruvchi (the name the club started with in this tournament before changing it to Bunyodkor midyear) in the second leg of their Asian Champions League semi-final, cannot be underestimated.

Adelaide has made a big statement not just about itself, but about Australia's fledgling A-League and the ability of Australian clubs to compete at the highest level despite lacking the resources and budgets of their big spending rivals from Japan, South Korea and the Middle East, who are financed by a seemingly inexhaustible supply of petrodollars.

If Adelaide gets through to the final — where it would face a Japanese club, either 2007 Asian Champions League winners Urawa Reds or Gamba Osaka, conqueror of Melbourne Victory in the group phase — it will pick up a minimum of $US400,000 ($A575,000), the cash reward for the runners-up.

If the Reds can beat either of their J-League rivals in the final, they would earn $US600,000 ($A860,000).

The real dividend will come in December as whoever plays Gamba or Urawa in the ACL final will progress to the World Club Championship, which is being held this year in Japan.

There they will face off against the likes of European champions Manchester United, LDU Quito, the team from Ecuador that won the Copa Libertadores — Latin America's equivalent — in 2008 and Pachuca, a Mexican team that won the Central and North American Champions Cup, which is contested by the best club teams in that part of the world.

The 2007 Japanese champions, Kashima Antlers, will represent the host country.

The ACL final is excluded as a World Club Championship entry point for Japanese clubs, so tonight's semi-final winner automatically proceeds to the quarter-finals of that tournament.

The other teams who will figure in the quarter-finals are the winner of a preliminary match between the Oceania champion, New Zealand's Waitakere United, and the yet-to-be determined 2008 J-League champion, plus the 2008 African Champions League winner.

The final of the African competition takes place over two legs in the next fortnight, with Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly facing Coton Sport Garoua from Cameroon.

Manchester United and LDU Quito, as representative of the soccer world's powerhouse continents, go straight to the World Club Championship semi-finals.

For just turning up at the world club competition, Adelaide will receive $US1.5 million ($A2.15 million). Progress to the final four would mean a considerably greater pay off and should it stun the world and win the tournament — highly unlikely as that seems — several million dollars would be added to its coffers.

Adelaide would not be the only beneficiary as other A-League sides and Football Federation Australia would be entitled to a share of the spoils. The Reds would keep 75% of the prize, with 20% being shared among the other A-League clubs and 5% going to FFA.

The ACL will become an even bigger bonanza for Australian clubs in the future — if they can match Adelaide's exploits.

From next year (when Newcastle and the Central Coast Mariners represent the A-League), the competition is being expanded and will move to a European Champions League format, with 32 clubs (not the current 28 plus last year's winner entering at the quarter-final stage) progressing to a knockout final 16, with prizemoney paid to clubs that get past the group stage.

[mulhollanddrive]

Its good that 2 teams go through from a group of 4 (If thats the structure).

Be amazing if Victory could get a 2nd leg in a knock out tie, be bigger than any other game other than a GF I think.

[Planet Victory]

Okay, I'm really confused about all this, so I'm trying to get this straight and make sense out of this.

Here is the ACL format for next year as previously posted:

The first stage of ACL 2009 involves this years finalist Adelaide United and Gamba Osaka. One team gets drawn against Syria, Uzbekistan, Qatar in the Western Play-Off round for a ACL position, while the other team draws Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam in their Eastern Play-off round for a ACL position. The winners of these rounds go into the group stages of the 2009 ACL.

According to this, Adelaide and Gamba are going to be automatically participating in February of next year (right in our A-League Finals - decisions to be made there)

My question is, who gets drawn for the East and West Play-offs as they are both in the Eastern side of Asia?

On top of this, Adelaide have the Club World Cup in December (I think), due to last nights win. This seems a busy summer for the boys in Red. Will be interesting to see.

[RedtilIDye]

The first stage of ACL 2009 involves this years finalist Adelaide United and Gamba Osaka. One team gets drawn against Syria, Uzbekistan, Qatar in the Western Play-Off round for a ACL position, while the other team draws Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam in their Eastern Play-off round for a ACL position. The winners of these rounds go into the group stages of the 2009 ACL.

According to this, Adelaide and Gamba are going to be automatically participating in February of next year (right in our A-League Finals - decisions to be made there)
Unfortunately for Adelaide, this is not the case. There is no possible way that we will be participating in the tournament next year. The qualifying playoff in February that you're referring to does not include this year's ACL winner / runner up - but the AFC Cup winner / runner up. The AFC Cup is essentially a continental competition for clubs from the 'weaker' Asian nations (Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore etc).

[Planet Victory]

Unfortunately for Adelaide, this is not the case. There is no possible way that we will be participating in the tournament next year. The qualifying playoff in February that you're referring to does not include this year's ACL winner / runner up - but the AFC Cup winner / runner up. The AFC Cup is essentially a continental competition for clubs from the 'weaker' Asian nations (Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore etc).

Hence why I was getting confused. Thanks for that.