AFC Champions League Two
| Date | R | Home v Away | - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/11 14:00 | 4 |
Al Khalidiyah v Tractor Sazi
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| 02/11 16:00 | 4 |
Al Hussein SC v Sharjah SCC
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| 02/12 08:00 | 4 |
Sydney FC v Bangkok United
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| 02/12 12:00 | 4 |
Nam Dinh v Sanfrecce Hiroshima
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| 02/12 14:00 | 4 |
Al-Wehdat v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai
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| 02/12 16:00 | 4 |
Al-Wakrah SC v Al Taawon Buraidah
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| 02/13 12:00 | 4 |
Port FC v Jeonbuk Motors
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| 02/13 14:00 | 4 |
Muang Thong United v Lion City Sailors FC
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| 02/18 14:00 | 4 |
Sharjah SCC v Al Hussein SC
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| 02/18 16:00 | 4 |
Tractor Sazi v Al Khalidiyah
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| 02/19 10:00 | 4 |
Sanfrecce Hiroshima v Nam Dinh
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| 02/19 12:00 | 4 |
Bangkok United v Sydney FC
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| 02/19 16:00 | 4 |
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai v Al-Wehdat
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| 02/19 18:00 | 4 |
Al Taawon Buraidah v Al-Wakrah SC
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| 02/20 10:00 | 4 |
Jeonbuk Motors v Port FC
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| 02/20 12:00 | 4 |
Lion City Sailors FC v Muang Thong United
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Teams
Al-Wehdat
Al Ahed
Tampines Rovers FC
Johor Darul Takzim
Al-Riffa
Kaya FC
Kitchee
PSM Makassar
South China AA
Al-Muharraq
Global FC
Al-Faisaly Amman
Mohun Bagan
Boeung Ket FC
Selangor
Persib Bandung
Central Coast Mariners
Balestier Khalsa FC
Malkiya
Persipura Jayapura
Binh Duong
Fanja
Bangkok United
Manama
Nam Dinh
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Sydney FC
Jeonbuk Motors
Sharjah SCC
Than Quang Ninh
Ahli Al Khalil
Naga World FC
Song Lam Nghe An
Tractor Sazi
Sepahan
Al-Najma Manama
Saham
Shabab Al Khaleel
Shabab Al Ordon
Terengganu
Hai Phong
Felda United FC
Colombo FC
East Bengal Club
Aizawl FC
Thanh Hoa
East Riffa
Kedah
Blue Star
Kelantan FC
Wikipedia - AFC Champions League Two
The AFC Champions League Two (previously known as the AFC Cup, abbreviated as the ACL Two) is an annual continental club football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation. It is the second-tier competition of Asian club football, ranked below the AFC Champions League Elite and above the AFC Challenge League.
The tournament was founded in 2004 as the AFC Cup, which was played primarily among clubs from nations that did not receive direct qualifying slots to the top-tier AFC Champions League. In 2024, the AFC introduced a revamped second-tier club competition under the name AFC Champions League Two, with the records and statistics of the AFC Cup transferring to the new competition.
Clubs qualify for the competition based on their performance in national leagues and cup competitions. Participation in the competition is open to clubs from the top 12 nations in the East and the West region based on the AFC club competitions ranking. The participant from each nation ranked 1–6 in each region is the highest-placed club in that nation that did not qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite. The nations ranked 7–12 in each region enter their top club(s) directly to the AFC Champions League Two.
The current champions are Central Coast Mariners, who defeated Al-Ahed in the 2024 final. Al-Kuwait and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya are the most successful clubs in the competition's history, having won three titles each. Clubs from Kuwait have won four titles, making them the most successful nation in the competition.
The winner of the AFC Champions League Two will be allocated an indirect preliminary stage slot for the next AFC Champions League Elite season, if they have not qualified through domestic competition.
History
| Season | Winners |
|---|---|
| AFC Cup | |
| 2004 | Al-Jaish |
| 2005 | Al-Faisaly |
| 2006 | Al-Faisaly (2) |
| 2007 | Shabab Al-Ordon |
| 2008 | Al-Muharraq |
| 2009 | Kuwait SC |
| 2010 | Al-Ittihad Aleppo |
| 2011 | Nasaf Qarshi |
| 2012 | Kuwait SC (2) |
| 2013 | Kuwait SC (3) |
| 2014 | Qadsia |
| 2015 | Johor Darul Ta'zim |
| 2016 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya |
| 2017 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (2) |
| 2018 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (3) |
| 2019 | Al-Ahed |
| 2020 | Cancelled |
| 2021 | Al-Muharraq (2) |
| 2022 | Al-Seeb |
| 2023–24 | Central Coast Mariners |
| AFC Champions League Two | |
| 2024–25 | |
The AFC Cup began in 2004 as a second-tier competition to relate back to the AFC Champions League, as 14 countries that had developing status competed in the first competition, with 18 teams being nominated. The winners and three runners-up would then head to the knock-out stage. Al-Jaish took the first AFC Cup after they defeated fellow Syrian opponents Al-Wahda on away goals.
In 2005, 18 teams competed from nine nations with the nations still being allowed to choose from one or two teams entering. After Syrian teams left the AFC Cup to try at the AFC Champions League for four years, Al-Faisaly defeated Nejmeh in the final. With it, Jordanian teams would win the next two AFC Cup seasons with Bahrain joining the league while Bangladesh was relegated to the AFC President's Cup until the tournament's abolition in 2014.
Al-Muharraq would break the trend in 2008 as they competed in the last two-legged final before it headed back into a one-leg system, a rule that was never changed till the termination of this tournament.
On 23 December 2022, it was announced that the AFC competition structure would change from the established formats from the 2024–25 season. A new second-tier tournament called the AFC Champions League Two would be introduced. Meanwhile, a new third-tier competition was also launched under the name AFC Challenge League.
On 24 May 2024, AFC announced that the records and statistics of the preceding AFC club competitions will be recognised and integrated within the revamped club competitions, with the data from the AFC Cup transferring to the AFC Champions League Two.
The AFC Champions League Two is an exhilarating annual soccer tournament that showcases the best of Asian club football, providing a platform for emerging teams to compete at a high level. Established to complement the prestigious AFC Champions League, this tournament aims to elevate the profile of clubs from developing football nations and offer them a chance to shine on the continental stage.
**Format and Structure:**
The tournament features a diverse array of clubs from across Asia, including those from the AFC's member associations. Teams compete in a series of group stages followed by knockout rounds, culminating in a thrilling final that determines the champion. The format is designed to ensure competitive balance, allowing clubs of varying experience and resources to vie for glory.
**Objectives:**
AFC Champions League Two serves multiple purposes:
- **Development:** It provides a vital opportunity for clubs to gain international experience and exposure, helping to nurture talent and improve the overall standard of football in the region.
- **Inclusion:** The tournament emphasizes inclusivity, allowing clubs from less prominent footballing nations to participate and showcase their skills on a larger stage.
- **Pathway to Success:** The champion of AFC Champions League Two earns a coveted spot in the following season's AFC Champions League, offering a pathway for clubs to ascend to the highest levels of Asian football.
**Fan Engagement:**
With passionate supporters and vibrant fan cultures, the tournament promises thrilling matches and unforgettable moments. Fans can expect to see emerging stars, intense rivalries, and the spirit of competition that defines soccer in Asia. The tournament also emphasizes community engagement, with initiatives aimed at bringing fans closer to the action and fostering a love for the game.
**Conclusion:**
The AFC Champions League Two is more than just a tournament; it is a celebration of football's growth in Asia. By providing a stage for clubs to compete, develop, and inspire, it plays a crucial role in the evolution of the sport across the continent. Join us as we witness the rise of new footballing heroes and the passion that unites fans from all walks of life!