2020 AFC Champions League group stage

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The 2020 AFC Champions League group stage was played from 10 February to 4 December 2020.[1] A total of 32 teams competed in the group stage to decide the 16 places in the knockout stage of the 2020 AFC Champions League.[2]

The competition was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia after matchday 3 on 4 March 2020.[3] On 9 July 2020, the AFC announced that it would restart on 14 September 2020.[4] All matches after restart were played in Qatar.

Draw

The draw for the group stage was held on 10 December 2019, 16:30

MYT (UTC+8), at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[5]
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:[6]

  • 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 entered into the group stage draw, which included 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 United Arab Emirates Sharjah
Shabab Al-Ahli
 United Arab Emirates Al-Wahda United Arab Emirates Al-Ain
(Winners of Play-off West 1)
Al-Nassr
Al-Taawoun
 Saudi Arabia Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia Al-Ahli
(Winners of Play-off West 2)
Qatar Al-Sadd Qatar Al-Duhail
Pakhtakor
 Iraq Al-Shorta
Iran Persepolis Iran Sepahan Iran Esteghlal
(Winners of Play-off West 4) 		Iran Shahr Khodro
(Winners of Play-off West 3)
East
Region 		E–H
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
 South Korea Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Ulsan Hyundai
 South Korea FC Seoul
(Winners of Play-off East 1)
Guangzhou Evergrande
Shanghai Shenhua
Beijing FC
Shanghai SIPG
(Winners of Play-off East 2
)
Japan Yokohama F. Marinos Japan Vissel Kobe[note 1] Japan FC Tokyo
(Winners of Play-off East 3) 		Thailand Chiangrai United
Australia Perth Glory Australia Sydney FC Australia Melbourne Victory
(Winners of Play-off East 4) 		Malaysia Johor Darul Ta'zim

Format

In the group stage, each group was played on a double round-robin basis, with matches played home-and-away before the suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but moved to centralised venues after restart. The winners and runners-up of each group 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 10.5):[2]

  1. Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  2. Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  3. Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  4. Away goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams; (this tiebreaker was removed since the matches were played in centralised venues after restart)
  5. 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;
  6. Goal difference in all group matches;
  7. Goals scored in all group matches;
  8. Penalty shoot-out if only two teams playing each other in the last round of the group were tied;
  9. 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);
  10. Association ranking.

Schedule

The original schedule of each match day, as planned before the COVID-19 pandemic, was as follows.[7]

  • Matches in the West Region were played on Mondays and Tuesdays. Two groups were 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 were played on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Two groups were 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
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

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

Due to the

Football Federation Australia told the AFC that Australia could no longer host matches against Chinese teams.[8] The AFC held an emergency meeting on 4 February 2020 to determine plans for the tournament, including but not limited to rescheduling of matches in the East Region.[9] 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:[10][11]

  • Group E: FC Seoul v Beijing FC (from 11 February to 28 April), Melbourne Victory v Beijing FC (from 3 March to 28 May)
  • Group F: Perth Glory v Shanghai Shenhua (from 11 February to 28 April), Ulsan Hyundai v Shanghai Shenhua (from 18 February to 19 May), FC Tokyo v Shanghai Shenhua (from 4 March to 27 May)
  • Group G: Suwon Samsung Bluewings v Guangzhou Evergrande (from 12 February to 29 April), Johor Darul Ta'zim v Guangzhou Evergrande (from 19 February to 20 May), Vissel Kobe v Guangzhou Evergrande (from 3 March to 26 May)
  • Group H: Sydney FC v Shanghai SIPG (from 12 February to 29 April), Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors v Shanghai SIPG (from 19 February to 20 May), Yokohama F. Marinos v Shanghai SIPG (from 4 March to 27 May)

the following matches were postponed to a later date between late February and early March, prior to AFC's announcement to postpone all matches:[12][13]

  • Group A: Al-Ahli v Al-Shorta and Al-Wahda v Esteghlal (2 March)
  • Group B: Al-Hilal v Pakhtakor and Shabab Al-Ahli v Shahr Khodro (3 March)
  • Group C: Persepolis v Al-Taawoun and Al-Duhail v Sharjah (2 March)
  • Group D: Al-Ain v Al-Sadd and Sepahan v Al-Nassr (3 March), Al-Nassr v Sepahan (6 April)
  • Group E: FC Seoul v Chiangrai United (3 March)
  • Group F: Perth Glory v Ulsan Hyundai (4 March, later postponed to 18 March)

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.[14]

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 19–20 May, 26–27 May, 16–17 June and 23–24 June.[15]

The AFC announced on 14 April 2020 that all matches scheduled for May and June would be postponed until further notice.[3] Only 27 group stage matches out of the 96 scheduled had been played by then.

On 9 July 2020, the AFC announced the new schedule for the remaining matches, with all matches played at centralised venues. The West Region matches postponed from matchdays 3–6 would be played on 14–15, 17–18, 20–21 and 23–24 September, and the East Region matches postponed from matchdays 1–6 would be played on 16–17, 19–20, 22–23, 25–26, 28–29 October and 31 October – 1 November.[4][16] On 10 September 2020, the AFC announced that East Region group stage matches were rescheduled to be played on 18–19, 21–22, 24–25, 27–28 November, 30 November – 1 December and 3–4 December.[17]

Matchday West Region East Region
Matchday 1 — 18–19 November 2020 (3 matches)
Matchday 2 — 21–22 November 2020 (4 matches)
Matchday 3 14–15 September 2020 24–25 November 2020
Matchday 4 17–18 September 2020 27–28 November 2020 (6 matches)
Matchday 5 20–21 September 2020 30 November – 1 December 2020
Matchday 6 23–24 September 2020 3–4 December 2020

Centralised venues after restart

On 16 July 2020, the AFC announced that Qatar would host all West Region matches after restart.[18] On 27 July 2020, the AFC announced that Malaysia would host the East Region matches of Groups G and H after restart.[19] However, on 9 October 2020, the AFC announced that following an agreement with Qatar Football Association, all East Region matches after restart would also be played in Qatar.[20]

The following centralised venues in Qatar were used:[21]

Groups

Group A

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification AHL EST SHO WAH
1 Saudi Arabia Al-Ahli 4 2 0 2 4 6 −2 6 Advance to knockout stage — 2–1 1–0 20 Sep
2 Iran Esteghlal 4 1 2 1 6 4 +2 5 3–0 — 1–1 17 Sep
3 Iraq Al-Shorta 4 1 2 1 4 4 0 5 2–1 1–1 — 0–1
4 United Arab Emirates Al-Wahda 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Withdrew[a] 1–1 14 Sep 23 Sep —
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ Al-Wahda were unable to travel to Qatar to play the final four matches of the group stage due to several team members testing positive for COVID-19.[22] They were considered to have withdrawn from the competition, and all previous matches played by them shall be considered "null and void" and would not be considered in determining the final group rankings.[23]
Al-Shorta Iraq1–1Iran Esteghlal
  • Faez 48' (pen.)
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Attendance: 6,750
Referee: Ahmed Al-Ali (Jordan)
Al-Wahda United Arab EmiratesVoided
(1–1)		Saudi Arabia Al-Ahli
 Live Report
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Attendance: 7,124
Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)
Al-Shorta IraqVoided
(0–1)		United Arab Emirates Al-Wahda
Live Report
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Attendance: 4,327
Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia2–1Iran Esteghlal
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Attendance: 6,740
Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia1–0Iraq Al-Shorta
 Live Report
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Attendance: 0
Al-Wahda United Arab EmiratesCancelledIran Esteghlal
Live Report
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Al-Shorta Iraq2–1Saudi Arabia Al-Ahli
 Live Report
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Attendance: 0
Referee: Sherzod Kasimov (Uzbekistan)
Esteghlal IranCancelledUnited Arab Emirates Al-Wahda
Live Report
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Al-Ahli Saudi ArabiaCancelledUnited Arab Emirates Al-Wahda
Live Report
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Esteghlal Iran1–1Iraq Al-Shorta
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Attendance: 0
Al-Wahda United Arab EmiratesCancelledIraq Al-Shorta
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Esteghlal Iran3–0Saudi Arabia Al-Ahli
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Attendance: 0

Group B

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
PAK
SAH
 SHK HIL
1
Pakhtakor
 4 3 1 0 6 1 +5 10 Advance to knockout stage — 2–1 3–0 0–0
2
Shabab Al-Ahli
 4 2 1 1 3 2 +1 7 0–0 — 1–0 1–2
3 Iran Shahr Khodro 4 0 0 4 0 6 −6 0 0–1 0–1 — 0–0
4 Saudi Arabia Al-Hilal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Withdrew[a] 2–1 23 Sep 2–0 —
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. Shabab Al-Ahli due to them having only 11 players left with the remaining team members testing positive for COVID-19. They were considered to have withdrawn from the competition, and all previous matches played by them shall be considered "null and void" and would not be considered in determining the final group rankings.[31]
Al-Hilal Saudi ArabiaVoided
(2–0)		Iran Shahr Khodro
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Attendance: 3,801
Pakhtakor Uzbekistan
3–0Iran Shahr Khodro
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Attendance: 19,420
Shabab Al-Ahli United Arab Emirates
Voided
(1–2)		Saudi Arabia Al-Hilal
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Attendance: 6,240
Referee: Hiroyuki Kimura (Japan)
Shabab Al-Ahli United Arab Emirates
1–0Iran Shahr Khodro
  • Abdullah
    75'
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Attendance: 0
Referee: Ali Sabah (Iraq)
Pakhtakor
 Live Report
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Attendance: 0
Shabab Al-Ahli
Live Report
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Syria
)
Pakhtakor Uzbekistan
Voided
(0–0)		Saudi Arabia Al-Hilal
Live Report
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Attendance: 0
Shahr Khodro IranVoided
(0–0)		Saudi Arabia Al-Hilal
Live Report
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Attendance: 0
Referee: Ahmed Al-Ali (Jordan)
Pakhtakor
Live Report
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Attendance: 0
Shabab Al-Ahli
Live Report
Stats Report
Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)
Pakhtakor
Live Report
Stats Report
Syria
)

Group C

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification PRS
TAW
 DUH SHJ
1 Iran Persepolis 6 3 1 2 8 5 +3 10 Advance to knockout stage — 1–0 0–1 4–0
2
Al-Taawoun
 6 3 0 3 4 8 −4 9[a] 0–1 — 2–0 0–6
3 Qatar Al-Duhail 6 3 0 3 7 8 −1 9[a] 2–0 0–1 — 2–1
4 United Arab Emirates Sharjah 6 2 1 3 13 11 +2 7 2–2 0–1 4–2 —
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Head-to-head points: Al-Taawoun 6, Al-Duhail 0.
Al-Duhail Qatar2–0Iran Persepolis
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Attendance: 3,780
Referee: Aziz Asimov (Uzbekistan)
Al-Taawoun
Live Report
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  • Darwish
    34'
Attendance: 8,523
Referee: Ryuji Sato (Japan)
Sharjah United Arab Emirates2–2Iran Persepolis
 Live Report
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Australia
)
Al-Taawoun Saudi Arabia
2–0Qatar Al-Duhail
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King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Buraidah
Attendance: 15,346
)
Al-Taawoun
  • Khalilzadeh
    83'
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Attendance: 10
Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)
Sharjah United Arab Emirates4–2Qatar Al-Duhail
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Attendance: 0
Al-Taawoun Saudi Arabia
0–1Iran Persepolis
Live Report
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Attendance: 10
Referee: Mohanad Qasim (Iraq)
Persepolis Iran0–1Qatar Al-Duhail
Live Report
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Attendance: 0
Al-Taawoun Saudi Arabia
0–6United Arab Emirates Sharjah
Live Report
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Attendance: 10
Referee: Kim Dae-yong (South Korea)
Al-Taawoun
Live Report
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  • Duke
    86'
Mohd Amirul Izwan Yaacob (Malaysia
)

Group D

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
NAS
 SAD SEP AIN
1
Al-Nassr
 6 3 2 1 9 5 +4 11 Advance to knockout stage — 2–2 2–0 0–1
2 Qatar Al-Sadd 6 2 3 1 14 8 +6 9 1–1 — 3–0 4–0
3 Iran Sepahan 6 2 1 3 6 8 −2 7 0–2 2–1 — 0–0
4 United Arab Emirates Al-Ain 6 1 2 3 5 13 −8 5 1–2 3–3 0–4 —
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Al-Ain United Arab Emirates0–4Iran Sepahan
Live Report
Stats Report
Attendance: 7,028
Referee: Hiroyuki Kimura (Japan)
Al-Nassr Saudi Arabia
2–2Qatar Al-Sadd
 Live Report
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Australia
)
Al-Nassr
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Attendance: 7,326
Al-Sadd Qatar3–0Iran Sepahan
 Live Report
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Attendance: 5,843
Referee: Aziz Asimov (Uzbekistan)
Al-Ain United Arab Emirates3–3Qatar Al-Sadd
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Attendance: 0
Al-Nassr
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Attendance: 0
Al-Sadd Qatar4–0United Arab Emirates Al-Ain
 Live Report
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Mohd Amirul Izwan Yaacob (Malaysia
)
Al-Nassr
 Live Report
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Syria
)
Sepahan Iran0–0United Arab Emirates Al-Ain
Live Report
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Attendance: 0
Referee: Ali Shaban (Kuwait)
Sepahan Iran2–1Qatar Al-Sadd
 Live Report
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Attendance: 0
Al-Nassr Saudi Arabia
0–1United Arab Emirates Al-Ain
Live Report
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Attendance: 0
Referee: Hussein Abo Yehia (Lebanon)

Group E

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
BEI
 MVC SEO CHI
1
Beijing Guoan
 6 5 1 0 12 4 +8 16 Advance to knockout stage — 3–1 3–1 1–1
2 Australia Melbourne Victory 6 2 1 3 6 9 −3 7 0–2 — 2–1 1–0
3 South Korea FC Seoul 6 2 0 4 10 9 +1 6 1–2 1–0 — 5–0
4 Thailand Chiangrai United 6 1 2 3 5 11 −6 5 0–1 2–2 2–1 —
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Melbourne Victory Australia1–0Thailand Chiangrai United
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Attendance: 4,156
FC Seoul South Korea1–0Australia Melbourne Victory
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Attendance: 5,229
Beijing FC
Live Report
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Syria
)
Beijing FC
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Attendance: 0
Beijing FC China
3–1Australia Melbourne Victory
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Attendance: 0
Referee: Saoud Al-Athbah (Qatar)
FC Seoul South Korea5–0Thailand Chiangrai United
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Attendance: 0
Beijing FC
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Mohd Amirul Izwan Yaacob (Malaysia
)
Beijing FC China
3–1South Korea FC Seoul
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Attendance: 0
Chiangrai United Thailand2–2Australia Melbourne Victory
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Attendance: 0
Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)
Melbourne Victory Australia2–1South Korea FC Seoul
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Attendance: 0
Beijing FC China
1–1Thailand Chiangrai United
  • Alan
    76'
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Attendance: 0
Referee: Hussein Abo Yehia (Lebanon)

Group F

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
ULS
 TOK
SSH
 PRG
1
Ulsan Hyundai
 6 5 1 0 14 5 +9 16 Advance to knockout stage — 1–1 3–1 2–0
2 Japan FC Tokyo 6 3 1 2 6 5 +1 10 1–2 — 0–1 1–0
3
Shanghai Shenhua
 6 2 1 3 9 13 −4 7 1–4 1–2 — 3–3
4 Australia Perth Glory 6 0 1 5 5 11 −6 1 1–2 0–1 1–2 —
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Ulsan Hyundai South Korea
1–1Japan FC Tokyo
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Attendance: 3,350
FC Tokyo Japan1–0Australia Perth Glory
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Attendance: 7,755
Referee: Yaqoob Abdul Baki (Oman)
Shanghai Shenhua
 Live Report
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Attendance: 0
Shanghai Shenhua
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Attendance: 0
Shanghai Shenhua
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Attendance: 0
Ulsan Hyundai
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Attendance: 0
Ulsan Hyundai South Korea
2–0Australia Perth Glory
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Attendance: 0
Shanghai Shenhua China
1–2Japan FC Tokyo
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Attendance: 0
Referee: Mohanad Qasim (Iraq)
Ulsan Hyundai
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Attendance: 0
Shanghai Shenhua China
3–3Australia Perth Glory
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Attendance: 0
Perth Glory Australia0–1Japan FC Tokyo
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Syria
)
Ulsan Hyundai
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Attendance: 0

Group G

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification VIS SUW
GZE
 JDT
1 Japan Vissel Kobe 4 2 0 2 4 5 −1 6 Advance to knockout stage — 0–2 0–2 5–1
2 South Korea Suwon Samsung Bluewings 4 1 2 1 3 2 +1 5 0–1 — 0–0 25 Nov
3
Guangzhou Evergrande
 4 1 2 1 4 4 0 5 1–3 1–1 — 4 Dec
4 Malaysia Johor Darul Ta'zim 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Withdrew[a] 1 Dec 2–1 19 Nov —
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ Johor Darul Ta'zim were unable to travel to Qatar to play the final four matches of the group stage due to the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions after they were denied permission to travel by the Malaysian government.[36] They were considered to have withdrawn from the competition, and all previous matches played by them shall be considered "null and void" and would not be considered in determining the final group rankings.[37]
Vissel Kobe JapanVoided
(5–1)		Malaysia Johor Darul Ta'zim
 Live Report
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Attendance: 7,256
Suwon Samsung Bluewings South Korea0–1Japan Vissel Kobe
Live Report
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Attendance: 17,372
Referee: Mohanad Qasim (Iraq)
Johor Darul Ta'zim MalaysiaVoided
(2–1)		South Korea Suwon Samsung Bluewings
 Live Report
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Attendance: 25,524
Guangzhou Evergrande
Live Report
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Guangzhou Evergrande
Live Report
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Australia
)
Guangzhou Evergrande China
1–3Japan Vissel Kobe
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Attendance: 0
Guangzhou Evergrande
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Attendance: 0
Guangzhou Evergrande China
1–1South Korea Suwon Samsung Bluewings
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Attendance: 0
Guangzhou Evergrande China
CancelledMalaysia Johor Darul Ta'zim
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Group H

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification YOK
SSI
JEO
 SYD
1 Japan Yokohama F. Marinos 6 4 1 1 13 5 +8 13 Advance to knockout stage — 1–2 4–1 4–0
2
Shanghai SIPG
 6 3 0 3 6 10 −4 9 0–1 — 0–2 0–4
3
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
 6 2 1 3 8 10 −2 7 1–2 1–2 — 1–0
4 Australia Sydney FC 6 1 2 3 8 10 −2 5 1–1 1–2 2–2 —
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors South Korea
1–2Japan Yokohama F. Marinos
 Live Report
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Attendance: 6,546
Yokohama F. Marinos Japan4–0Australia Sydney FC
 Live Report
Stats Report
Attendance: 11,863
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
 Live Report
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Attendance: 3,255
Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)
Shanghai SIPG
 Live Report
Stats Report
Attendance: 0
Shanghai SIPG
  • Gustavo
    24'
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Attendance: 0
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors South Korea
1–0Australia Sydney FC
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Attendance: 0
Shanghai SIPG China
0–1Japan Yokohama F. Marinos
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Attendance: 0
Referee: Ali Sabah (Iraq)
Shanghai SIPG
 Live Report
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Attendance: 0
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
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Attendance: 0
Shanghai SIPG China
0–4Australia Sydney FC
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Attendance: 0
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
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Attendance: 0
Sydney FC Australia1–1Japan Yokohama F. Marinos
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Attendance: 0
Referee: Saoud Al-Athbah (Qatar)

Notes

  1. ^ The identity of the second group stage team from Japan was not known at the time of the group stage draw.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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.[24][25] 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.[26][27] 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.[28][29][30]
  3. ^ a b Al-Shorta play their home matches at Franso Hariri Stadium, Erbil, instead of their regular home stadium Al-Shaab Stadium, Baghdad.
  4. ^ a b Matches between teams from Iran and Saudi Arabia are played on neutral venues due to deterioration of Iran–Saudi Arabia relations.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o 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.[32][33] Later, the order of matches between Beijing FC and Melbourne Victory, Guangzhou Evergrande and Vissel Kobe, and Shanghai SIPG and Yokohama F. Marinos, were switched from the revised schedule.[34]
  6. ^ a b Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, the order of matches between Ulsan Hyundai and Perth Glory was switched.[35][12]

References

  1. ^ "AFC Competitions Calendar 2020". Asian Football Confederation. 6 December 2019.
  2. ^ a b "2020 AFC Champions League Competition Regulations" (PDF). the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation.
  3. ^ a b "AFC extends postponement of all matches and competitions". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 14 April 2020.
  4. ^ a b "AFC reiterates commitment to complete 2020 competitions with new calendar". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 9 July 2020.
  5. ^ "ACL2020 draw sets stage for spectacular affair". Asian Football Confederation. 10 December 2019.
  6. ^ "#ACL2020 & #AFCCup2020 - Preview Show". Asian Football Confederation. 9 December 2019.
  7. ^ "AFC Champions League 2020 Official Match Schedule". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation.
  8. ^ "Sydney, Perth unable to host AFC Champions League fixtures". Special Broadcasting Service. 2 February 2020.
  9. ^ "Meeting on AFC Champions League Group Stage matches to be held". Asian Football Confederation. 2 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Decisions of AFC Emergency Meeting in Kuala Lumpur". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 4 February 2020.
  11. ^ "ACL 2020 Schedule Emergency Meeting Revised Match Dates". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 4 February 2020.
  12. ^ a b "AFC calls for emergency meetings with National and Club representatives". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 27 February 2020.
  13. ^ "AFC Competitions update". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 9 March 2020.
  14. ^ "AFC Emergency Meetings conclude in Doha and Dubai". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 8 March 2020.
  15. ^ "East Zone teams agree to new dates". Asian Football Confederation. 2 March 2020.
  16. ^ "AFC Champions League revised schedule". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 9 July 2020.
  17. ^ "AFC Executive Committee announces updates to 2020 competitions calendar". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 9 September 2020.
  18. ^ "Qatar to host 2020 AFC Champions League in the West region". Asian Football Confederation. 16 July 2020.
  19. ^ "Malaysia to host AFC Champions League Groups G and H". Asian Football Confederation. 27 July 2020.
  20. ^ "AFC Champions League (East) to be staged in Doha". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 9 October 2020.
  21. ^ "Stadiums to host AFC Champions League in Doha unveiled". The Peninsula. 7 August 2020.
  22. ^ "Al Wahda unable to travel to AFC Champions League (West)". Asian Football Confederation. 10 September 2020.
  23. ^ "AFC COVID-19 Sub Committee's decision on Al Wahda". Asian Football Confederation. 14 September 2020.
  24. ^ "اطلاعیه روابط عمومی". Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran. 17 January 2020.
  25. ^ "Another blow to Iranian sport as AFC ban country from hosting Champions League football". Inside The Games. 17 January 2020.
  26. ^ "Iranian football teams stand against AFC's decision". Tehran Times. 18 January 2020.
  27. ^ "Iran: 'Clubs to quit AFC Champions League over home game ban'". BBC Sport. 18 January 2020.
  28. ^ "AFC Statement". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 23 January 2020.
  29. ^ "Iran: Clubs back down on Asian champions League boycott". BBC Sport. 23 January 2020.
  30. ^ "AFC Statement on AFC Champions League Group Stage matches". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 29 January 2019.
  31. ^ "Al Hilal - Update on AFC Champions League". Asian Football Confederation. 23 September 2020.
  32. ^ "AFC Statement on AFC Champions League Group Stage matches". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 29 January 2020.
  33. ^ "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.
  34. ^ "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.
  35. ^ "Asian club football match in S. Korea moved to Australia due to coronavirus". Yonhap News Agency. 27 February 2020.
  36. ^ "Johor Darul Ta'zim forced out of Asian Champions League after Malaysia refuses to lift travel restrictions". ESPN. 11 November 2020.
  37. ^ "Latest update on AFC Champions League 2020". Asian Football Confederation. 13 November 2020.

External links

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