2007 AFC Champions League

Last updated

2007 AFC Champions League
Tournament details
Dates7 March – 14 November 2007
Teams28
Final positions
Champions Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds (1st title)
Runners-up Flag of Iran.svg Sepahan
Tournament statistics
Matches played92
Goals scored230 (2.5 per match)
Top scorer(s) Flag of Brazil.svg Mota
(7 goals)
Best player(s) Flag of Japan.svg Yuichiro Nagai
Fair play award Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds
← 2006
2008 →

The 2007 AFC Champions League was the 26th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament and the 5th edition under the current AFC Champions League title.

Contents

Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds became champions for the first time, beating Sepahan of Iran and becoming the fourth Japanese club to win the Asian championship, and qualified for the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup.

Format

Group Stage

A total of 28 clubs were divided into 7 groups of four, based on region i.e. East Asian and Southeast Asian clubs were drawn in groups E to G, while the rest were grouped in groups A to D. Each club played double round-robin (home and away) against fellow three group members, a total of 6 matches each. Clubs received 3pts for a win, 1pt for a tie, 0pts for a loss. The clubs were ranked according to points and tie breakers were in the following order:

The seven group winners along with the defending champion advanced to the quarter-finals.

Knockout Round

All eight clubs were randomly matched; however, the only restriction was that the clubs from the same country could not face each other in the quarter-finals. The games were conducted in 2 legs, home and away, and the aggregate score decided the match winner. If the aggregate score couldn't produce a winner, "away goals rule" was used. If still tied, clubs played extra time, where "away goals rule" still applied. If still tied, the game went to penalties.

Participating clubs

After their admission into the AFC, Australia were granted two entries. Because of this, both Thailand and Vietnam were restricted to entering just one club, with a second club from each country playing in the AFC Cup.

West AsiaEast Asia
Quarter-finals
TeamQualifying methodTeamQualifying method
Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Defending champions
Group Stage
TeamQualifying methodTeamQualifying method
Flag of Iran.svg Esteghlal [Note DSQ] 2005–06 Iran Pro League champions Flag of Australia (converted).svg Adelaide United 2005–06 A-League premiers
Flag of Iran.svg Sepahan 2005–06 Hazfi Cup winners Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sydney FC 2006 A-League Grand Final winners
Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg Al-Zawraa 2005–06 Iraqi Premier League champions Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shandong Luneng Taishan 2006 Chinese Super League champions &
2006 Chinese FA Cup winners
Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg Al-Najaf 2005–06 Iraqi Premier League runners-up Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shanghai Shenhua 2006 Chinese Super League runners-up
Flag of Kuwait.svg Kuwait SC 2005–06 Kuwaiti Premier League champions Flag of Indonesia.svg Persik Kediri 2006 Liga Indonesia Premier Division champions
Flag of Kuwait.svg Al-Arabi 2006 Kuwait Emir Cup winners Flag of Indonesia.svg Arema Malang 2006 Copa Indonesia winners
Flag of Qatar.svg Al Sadd 2005–06 Qatar Stars League champions Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds 2006 J.League Division 1 champions &
2006 Emperor's Cup winners
Flag of Qatar.svg Al-Rayyan 2005–06 Emir of Qatar Cup winners Flag of Japan.svg Kawasaki Frontale 2006 J.League Division 1 runners-up
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al Shabab 2005–06 Saudi Premier League champions Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 2006 K League champions
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al Hilal 2005–06 Saudi Crown Prince Cup winners Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg Chunnam Dragons 2006 Korean FA Cup winners
Flag of Syria.svg Al-Karamah 2005–06 Syrian Premier League champions Flag of Thailand.svg Bangkok University FC 2006 Thailand Premier League champions
Flag of Syria.svg Al-Ittihad 2005–06 Syrian Cup winners Flag of Vietnam.svg Gach Dong Tam Long An 2006 V-League winners
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Al Wahda 2005–06 UAE Football League runners-up
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Al Ain 2005–06 UAE President's Cup winners
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Pakhtakor 2006 Uzbek League champions &
2006 Uzbekistan Cup winners
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Neftchi Fergana 2006 Uzbek League runners-up
Notes
    1. ^
      Esteghlal were disqualified from the competition by the AFC for failing to submit their player registration form in time. Consequently, Group B was reduced to three teams.

    Group stage

    The draw took place in Kuala Lumpur on 22 December, allocating teams into seven groups. In February, the AFC disqualified Esteghlal Tehran from Group B for failing to register their players in time.[ citation needed ]

    Group matches were scheduled to be played over match days on 7 March 21 March 11 April 25 April 9 and 23 May 2007.

    Group A

    TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
    Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Al-Wahda 6411136+713
    Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg Al-Zawraa 632196+311
    Flag of Kuwait.svg Al-Arabi 62131012−27
    Flag of Qatar.svg Al-Rayyan 6024311−82
    Source: [ citation needed ]
    Al-Arabi Flag of Kuwait.svg 0–1 Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg Al-Zawraa
    (Report) Muslim Mubarak Soccerball shade.svg66'
    Sabah Al Salem Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait
    Attendance: 1,500
    Referee: Muhsen Basma (Syria)
    Al-Zawraa Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg 0–0 Flag of Qatar.svg Al-Rayyan
    (Report)
    Al Rayyan Sports Club, Al Rayyan, Qatar
    Attendance: 1,500
    Referee: Lee Gi-Young (South Korea)
    Al-Arabi Flag of Kuwait.svg 1–1 Flag of Qatar.svg Al-Rayyan
    Jarrah Al Zuhair Soccerball shade.svg60' (Report) Adel Lamy Soccerball shade.svg52'
    Sabah Al Salem Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait
    Attendance: 7,300
    Referee: Naser Al-Ghafary (Jordan)
    Al-Wahda Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg 1–1 Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg Al-Zawraa
    Abdulrahim Jumaa Soccerball shade.svg57' (report) Haidar Sabah Soccerball shade.svg75'
    Al-Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
    Attendance: 3,000
    Referee: Jasim Karim (Bahrain)
    Al-Zawraa Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg 3–2 Flag of Kuwait.svg Al-Arabi
    Wissam Kadhim Soccerball shade.svg21'
    Ahmad Ibrahim Soccerball shade.svg70'
    Nawaf Falah Soccerball shade.svg78'    		 (Report) Firas Al Khatib Soccerball shade.svg50', 84'
    Al Rayyan Sports Club, Al Rayyan, Qatar
    Attendance: 500
    Referee: Mohsen Torky (Iran)
    Al-Rayyan Flag of Qatar.svg 1–3 Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg Al-Zawraa
    Saoud Khames Soccerball shade.svg75' (Report) Salman Mesbeh Soccerball shade.svg13' (o.g.)
    Abdul-Salam Abood Soccerball shade.svg26'
    Haidar Sabah Soccerball shade.svg34'
    Al-Gharrafa Stadium, Doha, Qatar
    Attendance: 200
    Referee: Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia)

    Group B

    TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
    Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal 422051+48
    Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Pakhtakor 420235−26
    Flag of Kuwait.svg Al Kuwait 402224−22
    Flag of Iran.svg Esteghlal 00000000 [lower-alpha 1]
    Source: [ citation needed ]
    Notes:
    1. ↑ Esteghlal was disqualified for failing to submit their players list in time.
    Al Kuwait Flag of Kuwait.svg 0–1 Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Pakhtakor
    (Report) Aleksandr Kletskov Soccerball shade.svg69'
    Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait
    Attendance: 3,000
    Referee: Satop Tongkhan (Thailand)
    Pakhtakor Flag of Uzbekistan.svg 0–2 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal
    (Report) Omar Al-Ghamdi Soccerball shade.svg54'
    Rodrigão Soccerball shade.svg59'
    Army Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
    Attendance: 10,000
    Referee: Junjie Huang (China)
    Al-Hilal Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg 2–0 Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Pakhtakor
    Rodrigão Soccerball shade.svg30'Soccerball shade.svg90' (pen.) (report)
    King Fahd II Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    Attendance: 40,000
    Referee: Lee Gi-Young (South Korea)
    Al Kuwait Flag of Kuwait.svg 0–0 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal
    (Report)
    Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait
    Attendance: 7,000
    Referee: Jasim Karim (Bahrain)

    Group C

    TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
    Flag of Syria.svg Al-Karamah 6321117+411
    Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Neftchi 631267−110
    Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg Najaf FC 622298+18
    Flag of Qatar.svg Al Sadd 6114610−44
    Source: [ citation needed ]
    Najaf FC Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg 0–1 Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Neftchi
    (Report) Kholmatov Soccerball shade.svg71'
    Sabah Al Salem Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait
    Attendance: 1,500
    Referee: Hedayat Mombini (Iran)
    Al Sadd Flag of Qatar.svg 1–4 Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg Najaf FC
    Talal Al Bloushi Soccerball shade.svg45' (Report) Aqeel Mohammed Soccerball shade.svg47'
    Saeed Mohsen Soccerball shade.svg55'Soccerball shade.svg86' (pen.)
    Karrar Jassim Soccerball shade.svg70'
    Al Sadd Stadium, Doha, Qatar
    Attendance: 1,500
    Referee: Ben Williams (Australia)
    Al Sadd Flag of Qatar.svg 2–0 Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Neftchi
    Khalfan Ibrahim Soccerball shade.svg65'
    Emerson Soccerball shade.svg75'    		 (Report)
    Al Sadd Stadium, Doha, Qatar
    Attendance: 2,000
    Referee: Tan Hai (China)
    Al Karamah Flag of Syria.svg 1–1 Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg Najaf FC
    Fahd Awde Soccerball shade.svg90' (pen.) (Report) Falah Hasan Kadhim Soccerball shade.svg71'
    Khaled bin Walid Stadium, Homs, Syria
    Attendance: 30,000
    Referee: Jasim Karim (Bahrain)
    Al Sadd Flag of Qatar.svg 1–1 Flag of Syria.svg Al-Karamah
    Ali Nasser Soccerball shade.svg16' (Report) Iyad Mando Soccerball shade.svg44'
    Al Sadd Stadium, Doha, Qatar
    Attendance: 2,000
    Referee: Chaiwat Kunsuta (Thailand)
    Neftchi Flag of Uzbekistan.svg 1–1 Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg Najaf FC
    Kholmatov Soccerball shade.svg43' (Report) Ali Mohammed Soccerball shade.svg60'
    Fargona Stadium, Fergana, Uzbekistan
    Attendance: 16,000
    Al-Karamah Flag of Syria.svg 2–0 Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Neftchi
    Iyad Mando Soccerball shade.svg12', 50' (Report)
    Khaled bin Walid Stadium, Homs, Syria
    Attendance: 35,000
    Referee: Ali Al Mutlaq (Saudi Arabia)

    Group D

    TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
    Flag of Iran.svg Sepahan 6411125+713
    Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Shabab 631293+610
    Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Al Ain 613258−36
    Flag of Syria.svg Al-Ittihad 6033313−103
    Al-Ittihad Flag of Syria.svg 0–0 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Al Ain
    (Report)
    Al-Hamadaniah Stadium, Aleppo, Syria
    Attendance: 15,000
    Referee: Alaa Abdul-Kadir Nema (Iraq)
    Al-Ittihad Flag of Syria.svg 1–1 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Shabab
    Ammar Rihawi Soccerball shade.svg36' (Report) Ahmed Ateef Soccerball shade.svg65'
    Al-Hamadaniah Stadium, Aleppo, Syria
    Attendance: 8,000
    Referee: Talaat Najm (Lebanon)
    Al Ain Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg 1–1 Flag of Syria.svg Al-Ittihad
    Ghareeb Hareb Soccerball shade.svg53' (Report) Anas Sari Soccerball shade.svg90'
    Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium, Al Ain, UAE
    Attendance: 2,500
    Referee: Huang Junjie (China)

    Group E

    TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
    Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds 624095+410
    Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sydney FC 623185+39
    Flag of Indonesia.svg Persik Kediri 6213616−107
    Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shanghai Shenhua 612374+35
    Source: [ citation needed ]
    Urawa Red Diamonds Flag of Japan.svg 1–0 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shanghai Shenhua
    Yuki Abe Soccerball shade.svg45' (Report)
    Saitama Stadium, Saitama, Japan
    Attendance: 28,828
    Referee: Masoud Moradi (Iran)
    Sydney FC Flag of Australia (converted).svg 3–0 Flag of Indonesia.svg Persik Kediri
    Steve Corica Soccerball shade.svg54', 90'
    Alex Brosque Soccerball shade.svg73'    		 (Report)
    Parramatta Stadium, Sydney, Australia
    Attendance: 10,075
    Referee: Minh Tri Vo (Vietnam)
    Shanghai Shenhua Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 6–0 Flag of Indonesia.svg Persik Kediri
    Xie Hui Soccerball shade.svg8'
    Gao Lin Soccerball shade.svg25'
    Diego Alonso Soccerball shade.svg79', 87', 90'
    Sergio Blanco Soccerball shade.svg86'    		 (Report)
    Yuanshen Stadium, Shanghai, China
    Attendance: 8,000
    Referee: Subrata Sarkar (India)

    Group F

    TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
    Flag of Japan.svg Kawasaki Frontale 6510154+1116
    Flag of South Korea.svg Chunnam Dragons 631278−110
    Flag of Indonesia.svg Arema Malang 611429−74
    Flag of Thailand.svg Bangkok University 603347−33
    Source: [ citation needed ]
    Chunnam Dragons Flag of South Korea.svg 2–0 Flag of Indonesia.svg Arema Malang
    Kim Tae-Su Soccerball shade.svg48'
    Sandro Cardoso Soccerball shade.svg82'    		 (Report)
    Gwang-Yang Stadium, Gwangyang, South Korea
    Attendance: 3,000
    Referee: Huang Junjie (China)

    Group G

    TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
    Flag of South Korea.svg Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 6411136+713
    Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shandong Luneng Taishan 6411128+413
    Flag of Australia (converted).svg Adelaide United 622296+38
    Flag of Vietnam.svg Gach Dong Tam Long An 6006418−140
    Source: [ citation needed ]
    Adelaide United Flag of Australia (converted).svg 0–1 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shandong Luneng Taishan
    (Report) Michael Valkanis Soccerball shade.svg47' (o.g.)
    Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, Australia
    Attendance: 7,645
    Referee: Satop Tongkhan (Thailand)

    Knock-out stage

    Bracket

    Quarter finals Semi-finals Final
                
    Flag of Iran.svg Sepahan (p) 0 0 0 (5)
    Flag of Japan.svg Kawasaki Frontale 0 0 0 (4)
    Flag of Iran.svg Sepahan 3 0 3
    Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Al-Wahda 1 0 1
    Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Al-Wahda (a) 0 1 1
    Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal 0 1 1
    Flag of Iran.svg Sepahan 1 0 1
    Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds 1 2 3
    Flag of South Korea.svg Seognam Ilhwa Chunma 2 2 4
    Flag of Syria.svg Al-Karamah 1 0 1
    Flag of South Korea.svg Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 2 2 4 (3)
    Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds (p)2 2 4 (5)
    Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds 2 2 4
    Flag of South Korea.svg Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1 0 1

    Quarter-finals

    Team 1 Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
    Sepahan Flag of Iran.svg 0–0 (5–4p) Flag of Japan.svg Kawasaki Frontale 0–00–0 (a.e.t.)
    Al-Wahda Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg 1–1 (a) Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal 0–01–1
    Seognam Ilhwa Chunma Flag of South Korea.svg 4–1 Flag of Syria.svg Al-Karamah 2–12–0
    Urawa Red Diamonds Flag of Japan.svg 4–1 Flag of South Korea.svg Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
    (2006 Champion)    		2–12–0

    First leg

    Sepahan Flag of Iran.svg 0–0 Flag of Japan.svg Kawasaki Frontale
    Report
    Attendance: 25,000
    Referee: Jasim Karim (Bahrain)
    Al-Wahda Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg 0–0 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal
    Report
    Attendance: 12,000

    Second leg

    • Sepahan progress 5–4 on penalties after 0–0 aggregate score
    • Al-Wahda progress on away goals rule with 1–1 aggregate score
    • Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma progress 4–1 on aggregate
    • Urawa Red Diamonds progress 4–1 on aggregate

    Semi-finals

    Team 1 Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
    Sepahan Flag of Iran.svg 3–1 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Al-Wahda 3–10–0
    Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma Flag of South Korea.svg 4–4 (3–5p) Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds 2–22–2 (a.e.t.)

    First leg

    Second leg

    • Urawa Red Diamonds progress 5–3 on penalties after 4–4 aggregate score
    Al-Wahda Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg 0–0 Flag of Iran.svg Sepahan
    Report
    Attendance: 13,000
    • Sepahan progress 3–1 on aggregate

    Final

    Team 1 Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
    Sepahan Flag of Iran.svg 1–3 Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds 1–10–2

    First leg

    Second leg

    Urawa Red Diamonds Flag of Japan.svg 2–0 Flag of Iran.svg Sepahan
    Yuichiro Nagai Soccerball shade.svg22'
    Yuki Abe Soccerball shade.svg71'    		 Report
    Attendance: 59,034
    • Urawa Red Diamonds win 3–1 on aggregate

    Top scorers

    RankPlayerClubGoals
    1 Flag of Brazil.svg Mota Flag of South Korea.svg Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 7
    2 Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Dong-hyun Flag of South Korea.svg Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 5
    Flag of Iran.svg Mehdi Seyed Salehi Flag of Iran.svg Sepahan
    4 Flag of Brazil.svg Rodrigão Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal 4
    Flag of Syria.svg Firas Al Khatib Flag of Kuwait.svg Al-Arabi
    Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg Saeed Mohsen Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg Najaf FC
    Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Corica Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sydney FC
    Flag of Australia (converted).svg Travis Dodd Flag of Australia (converted).svg Adelaide United
    Flag of Brazil.svg Robson Ponte Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds
    10 Flag of Brazil.svg Magnum Flag of Japan.svg Kawasaki Frontale 3
    Flag of Brazil.svg Juninho Flag of Japan.svg Kawasaki Frontale
    Flag of Japan.svg Kengo Nakamura Flag of Japan.svg Kawasaki Frontale
    Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Wang Yongpo Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shandong Luneng Taishan
    Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Li Jinyu Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shandong Luneng Taishan
    Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg Emad Mohammed Flag of Iran.svg Sepahan
    Flag of Iran.svg Mahmoud Karimi Flag of Iran.svg Sepahan
    Flag of Mali.svg Mamadou Bagayoko Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Al-Wahda
    Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Waleed Al-Gizani Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Shabab
    Flag of Uruguay.svg Diego Alonso Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shanghai Shenhua
    Flag of Brazil.svg Fernando Flag of Australia (converted).svg Adelaide United
    Flag of Syria.svg Iyad Mando Flag of Syria.svg Al-Karamah
    Flag of Senegal.svg Senghor Koupouleni Flag of Syria.svg Al-Karamah
    Flag of Japan.svg Tatsuya Tanaka Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds
    Flag of Japan.svg Yuichiro Nagai Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds
    Flag of Japan.svg Yuki Abe Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds
    Flag of South Korea.svg Choi Sung-Kuk Flag of South Korea.svg Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma

    See also

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    References

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