2022 AFC Champions League

Last updated
2022 AFC Champions League
Tournament details
DatesQualifying:
8–15 March 2022
Competition proper:
7 April 2022 – 6 May 2023
TeamsGroup stage: 39
Total (maximum): 49
Final positions
Champions Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds (3rd title)
Runners-up Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal
Tournament statistics
Matches played130
Goals scored384 (2.95 per match)
Attendance511,749 (3,937 per match)
Top scorer(s) Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Edmilson Junior
(8 goals)
Best player(s) Flag of Japan.svg Hiroki Sakai [1]
Fair play award Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds
← 2021
(Note: All statistics do not include qualifying results)

The 2022 AFC Champions League was the 41st edition of Asia's premier club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the 20th under the current AFC Champions League title.

Contents

This edition was the last in an all-year-round (spring-to-autumn) schedule despite actually being held from 2022 to 2023; from the next season onwards, the competition switched to an autumn-to-spring schedule. [2]

This edition saw increase in numbers of preliminary players registration with 35 players, up from 30 in previous editions. This paved the way for more foreign players to be included in squad, although the AFC "3+1" foreign players rule was in effect during the match. [3] [4]

Due to the emerging complications caused by the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and the associated risks, as well as the unique circumstances surrounding the football schedule before and after the 2022 FIFA World Cup, it was confirmed that the final, originally scheduled for October 2022, would not be completed until May 2023. As the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup would already be held by that time, the AFC confirmed on 23 December 2022 that Al-Hilal would be their representative at the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup as the reigning champions from the 2021 AFC Champions League.

Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia were the defending champions. Urawa Red Diamonds defeated Al-Hilal 2–1 on aggregate in the final to win their third title. [5] As Asian champions, they automatically qualified for the 2023–24 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs since they did not qualify through their domestic performance. In addition, they earned the right to play in both the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

2021 AFC Cup winners Al-Muharraq, having not obtained an AFC license, were not eligible to participate in this edition. [6]

Association team allocation

The 47 AFC member associations are ranked based on their clubs' performance over the last four years in AFC competitions (their national team's FIFA World Rankings no longer considered). [7] The slots are allocated by the following criteria according to the Entry Manual: [8]

Association ranking

For the 2022-23 AFC Champions League, the associations are allocated slots according to their AFC Club Competitions Ranking which was published on 29 November 2019, [11] [12] which takes into account their performance in the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup during the period between 2016 and 2019.

Participation for 2022 AFC Champions League
Participating
Not participating
(N)Number of teams/associations originally entered, before withdrawal of teams from the competition after the draw
Notes
  1. ^
    Iran (IRN): On 7 January 2022, the AFC announced that Esteghlal and Persepolis had not satisfied the mandatory criteria of the AFC Club Licensing Regulations, and their licences were withdrawn by the AFC's independent Entry Control Body, and thus were declared ineligible to participate in the 2022 AFC Champions League. [13]
  2. ^
    Iraq (IRQ): Al-Najaf, the 2020–21 Iraqi Premier League third place, failed to obtain an AFC license, [14] and Al-Shorta, the league's fourth placed team, declined to participate in Al-Najaf's place. [15] Therefore, Iraq's second play-off round slot was annulled.
  3. ^
    Lebanon (LBN): Lebanon did not implement the club licensing system. [16]
  4. ^
    China (CHN): Changchun Yatai, withdrew from the competition after the draw, [17] with Shanghai Port withdrawing on 11 April, as a result of lockdown measures enforced in Shanghai as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. [18]
  5. ^
    North Korea (PRK): North Korea did not implement the club licensing system. [16]
  6. ^
    Myanmar (MYA): The team from Myanmar which originally entered the AFC Champions League, Shan United, withdrew from the competition after the draw. [19]

Teams

In the following table, the number of appearances and last appearance count only those since the 2002–03 season (including qualifying rounds), when the competition was rebranded as the AFC Champions League.

Notes
    1. ^
      Title holders (TH): Al-Hilal are the title holders.
    2. ^
      Jordan (JOR): The 2021 Jordanian Pro League champions Al-Ramtha were not granted an AFC Champions League license. [16]
    3. ^
      Saudi Arabia (KSA): Al-Ittihad, the 2020–21 Saudi Professional League third place, failed to obtain an AFC license. [20] As a result, Al-Taawoun, the league's fourth-placed team, entered the qualifying play-offs. [21]
    4. ^
      Myanmar (MYA): Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar plus the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état and protests, the 2021 Myanmar National League was not held by the Myanmar Football Federation.
    5. ^
      Philippines (PHI): Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, the 2021 Philippines Football League was cancelled. The Philippine Football Federation has nominated United City, the 2020 Philippines Football League champions, to participate. [22]
    6. ^
      Syria (SYR): The 2020–21 Syrian Premier League champions Tishreen were not granted an AFC Champions League license, and will play in the 2022 AFC Cup instead. [16] [23]
    7. ^
      Turkmenistan (TKM): Only Ahal were granted an AFC Champions League license, so the Ýokary Liga champions Altyn Asyr were only eligible for the 2022 AFC Cup. [16] [23]
    8. ^
      Vietnam (VIE): Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam, the 2021 V.League 1 and 2021 Vietnamese Cup were both abandoned by the Vietnam Football Federation. It was decided that the league's first-place team Hoang Anh Gia Lai at the time of abandonment would take the AFC Champions League slot, [24] with the AFC Cup slots to go to the second-and third-placed teams. [25]
    9. ^
      Withdrawn Teams 1 (WDN1): Shan United withdrew from the competition on 19 January 2022. [26]
    10. ^
      Withdrawn Teams 2 (WDN2): Changchun Yatai withdrew from the competition on 1 March 2022. [27]
    11. ^
      Withdrawn Teams 3 (WDN3): Shanghai Port withdrew from the competition on 11 April 2022, as a result of the lockdown measures enforced in Shanghai. [18]
    AFC location map.png
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    Red pog.svg Al-Jazira
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    Orange pog.svg Shabab Al-Ahli
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    class=notpageimage|
    Location of teams of the 2022 AFC Champions League.
    Brown pog.svg Brown: Group A; Red pog.svg Red: Group B; Orange pog.svg Orange: Group C; Yellow pog.svg Yellow: Group D; Pink pog.svg Pink: Group E;
    Green pog.svg Green: Group F; Blue pog.svg Blue: Group G; Cyan pog.svg Cyan: Group H; Turquoise pog.svg Turquoise: Group I; Purple pog.svg Purple: Group J;
    White pog.svg Qualifying play-offs

    Schedule

    The schedule of the competition was as follows. The final version was originally announced on 13 January 2022, [28] with the following modifications made on 9 December 2022: the West Region knockout stage matches were pushed back by two weeks in February, while the final was moved from 19 and 26 February to 29 April and 6 May 2023. [29]

    StageRoundDraw dateWest RegionEast Region
    Preliminary stagePreliminary roundNo draw—8 March 2022
    Play-off stagePlay-off round15 March 2022
    Group stageMatchday 117 January 20227–8 April 202215–16 April 2022
    Matchday 210–11 April 202218–19 April 2022
    Matchday 314–15 April 202221–22 April 2022
    Matchday 418–19 April 202224–25 April 2022
    Matchday 522–23 April 202227–28 April 2022
    Matchday 626–27 April 202230 April – 1 May 2022
    Knockout stageRound of 1619–20 February 202318–19 August 2022
    Quarter-finalsE: 20 August 2022
    W: 21 February 2023    		23 February 202322 August 2022
    Semi-finals26 February 202325 August 2022
    Final29 April and 6 May 2023

    Original schedule

    The original schedule of the competition, as planned in 2019 before the pandemic, included a two-legged knockout stage. [30]

    Original schedule
    StageRoundFirst legSecond leg
    Preliminary stagePreliminary round 111 January 2022
    Preliminary round 218 January 2022
    Play-off stagePlay-off round25 January 2022
    Group stageMatchday 17–9 February 2022
    Matchday 214–16 February 2022
    Matchday 328 February – 2 March 2022
    Matchday 414–16 March 2022
    Matchday 54–6 April 2022
    Matchday 618–20 April 2022
    Knockout stageRound of 169–11 May 202223–25 May 2022
    Quarter-finals15–17 August 202229–31 August 2022
    Semi-finals13–14 September 20224–5 October 2022
    Final22 October 202229 October 2022

    In June 2021, a minor revision was made to the schedule of the preliminary and play-off stages: matches were moved one week earlier in January. [31]

    Minor revision to schedule
    StageRoundFirst legSecond leg
    Preliminary stagePreliminary round 14 January 2022
    Preliminary round 211 January 2022
    Play-off stagePlay-off round18 January 2022

    First major revision to schedule

    On 5 July 2021, the AFC announced the first revised schedule of the competition, featuring a centralized group stage and single-leg knockout stage matches. [32]

    First major revision to schedule
    StageRoundWest RegionEast Region
    Preliminary stagePreliminary round 115 March 20221 March 2022
    Preliminary round 25 April 20228 March 2022
    Play-off stagePlay-off round20 April 202215 March 2022
    Group stageMatchday 110–11 May 202215–16 April 2022
    Matchday 213–14 May 202218–19 April 2022
    Matchday 316–17 May 202221–22 April 2022
    Matchday 419–20 May 202224–25 April 2022
    Matchday 522–23 May 202227–28 April 2022
    Matchday 625–26 May 202230 April – 1 May 2022
    Knockout stageRound of 1629–31 August 2022
    Quarter-finals12–14 September 2022
    Semi-finals11–12 October 2022
    Final29 October 2022

    Second major revision to schedule

    On 13 January 2022, the AFC announced the second revised schedule of the competition, with the knockout stage of the West Region pushed back to February 2023, and a two-legged format restored for the final. [28]

    Second major revision to schedule
    StageRoundWest RegionEast Region
    Preliminary stagePreliminary round—8 March 2022
    Play-off stagePlay-off round15 March 2022
    Group stageMatchday 17–8 April 202215–16 April 2022
    Matchday 210–11 April 202218–19 April 2022
    Matchday 314–15 April 202221–22 April 2022
    Matchday 418–19 April 202224–25 April 2022
    Matchday 522–23 April 202227–28 April 2022
    Matchday 626–27 April 202230 April – 1 May 2022
    Knockout stageRound of 163–4 February 202318–19 August 2022
    Quarter-finals7 February 202322 August 2022
    Semi-finals10 February 202325 August 2022
    Final19 and 26 February 2023

    Qualifying play-offs

    In the qualifying play-offs, each tie was played as a single match. Extra time and penalty shoot-out were used to decide the winner if necessary. [33] The bracket of the qualifying play-offs for each region was determined based on each team's association ranking and their seeding within their association, with the team from the higher-ranked association hosting the match. Teams from the same association could not be placed into the same tie. The seven winners of the play-off round (three from West Region and four from East Region) advanced to the group stage to join the 33 direct entrants.

    Preliminary round

    A total of two teams played in the preliminary round.

    Team 1 Score Team 2
    East Region
    Sydney FC Flag of Australia (converted).svg 5–0 Flag of the Philippines.svg Kaya–Iloilo
    Melbourne Victory Flag of Australia (converted).svg Cancelled [note 1] Flag of Myanmar.svg Shan United

    Play-off round

    Team 1 Score Team 2
    West Region
    Al-Taawoun Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg 1–1 (a.e.t.)
    (5–4 p)    		 Flag of Syria.svg Al-Jaish
    Baniyas Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg 0–2 Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Nasaf Qarshi
    Sharjah Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg 1–1 (a.e.t.)
    (6–5 p)    		 Flag of Iraq.svg Al-Zawraa
    Team 1 Score Team 2
    East Region
    Changchun Yatai Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Cancelled [note 2] Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sydney FC
    Vissel Kobe Flag of Japan.svg 4–3 (a.e.t.) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Melbourne Victory
    Ulsan Hyundai Flag of South Korea.svg 3–0 Flag of Thailand.svg Port
    Daegu FC Flag of South Korea.svg 1–1 (a.e.t.)
    (3–2 p)    		 Flag of Thailand.svg Buriram United

      Group stage

      The draw for the group stage was held on 17 January 2022 at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The 40 teams were drawn into ten groups of four: five groups each in the West Region (Groups A–E) and the East Region (Groups F–J). For each region, teams were seeded into four pots and drawn into the relevant positions within each group, based on their association ranking and their seeding within their association, in consideration of the technical balance between groups. Teams from the same association could not be drawn into the same group. In the group stage, each group was played in a double round-robin format in centralised venues. The winners of each group and three best runners-up from each region advanced to the round of 16 of the knockout stage.

      Group A

      PosTeam
      		PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification HIL RYN SHJ IST
      1 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal (H)6411115+613 [lower-alpha 1] Advance to Round of 16 — 0–2 2–1 1–0
      2 Flag of Qatar.svg Al-Rayyan 6411107+313 [lower-alpha 1] 0–3 — 3–1 1–0
      3 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Sharjah 6123711−45 2–2 1–1 — 2–1
      4 Flag of Tajikistan.svg Istiklol 6105510−53 0–3 2–3 2–0 —
      Source: AFC
      (H) Hosts
      Notes:
      1. 1 2 Equal on head-to-head points. Head-to-head goal difference: Al-Hilal +1, Al-Rayyan –1.

      Group B

      PosTeam
      		PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification SHB MUM QWJ AJZ
      1 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Shabab (H)6510181+1716Advance to Round of 16 — 6–0 3–0 3–0
      2 Flag of India.svg Mumbai City 6213311−87 [lower-alpha 1] 0–3 — 1–0 0–0
      3 Flag of Iraq.svg Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 6213710−37 [lower-alpha 1] 1–1 1–2 — 3–2
      4 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Al-Jazira 6114410−64 0–2 1–0 1–2 —
      Source: AFC
      (H) Hosts
      Notes:
      1. 1 2 Head-to-head points: Mumbai City 6, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 0.

      Group C

      PosTeam
      		PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification FOO SAH GHA AHA
      1 Flag of Iran.svg Foolad 633052+312Advance to Round of 16 — 1–1 0–0 1–0
      2 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Shabab Al-Ahli 6240147+710 1–1 — 8–2 2–1
      3 Flag of Qatar.svg Al-Gharafa 6123714−75 0–1 1–1 — 2–0
      4 Flag of Turkmenistan.svg Ahal 611469−34 0–1 1–1 4–2 —
      Source: AFC

      Group D

      PosTeam
      		PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification DUH TWN SEP PAK
      1 Flag of Qatar.svg Al-Duhail 6501179+815Advance to Round of 16 — 1–2 5–2 3–2
      2 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Taawoun (H)62131312+17 [lower-alpha 1] 3–4 — 3–0 0–1
      3 Flag of Iran.svg Sepahan 6213812−47 [lower-alpha 1] 0–1 1–1 — 2–1
      4 Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Pakhtakor 62041015−56 0–3 5–4 1–3 —
      Source: AFC
      Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
      (H) Hosts
      Notes:
      1. 1 2 Head-to-head points: Al-Taawoun 4, Sepahan 1.

      Group E

      PosTeam
      		PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification FAI NAS SAD WEH
      1 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Faisaly (H)623154+19 [lower-alpha 1] Advance to Round of 16 — 0–0 2–1 1–1
      2 Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Nasaf Qarshi 623185+39 [lower-alpha 1] 0–1 — 3–1 2–0
      3 Flag of Qatar.svg Al-Sadd 62131011−17 1–0 1–1 — 5–2
      4 Flag of Jordan.svg Al-Wehdat 6132912−36 1–1 2–2 3–1 —
      Source: AFC
      (H) Hosts
      Notes:
      1. 1 2 Head-to-head points: Al-Faisaly 4, Nasaf Qarshi 1.

      Group F

      PosTeam
      		PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification DAE URA LCS SDT
      1 Flag of South Korea.svg Daegu FC 6411144+1013 [lower-alpha 1] Advance to Round of 16 — 1–0 0–3 4–0
      2 Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds 6411202+1813 [lower-alpha 1] 0–0 — 6–0 5–0
      3 Flag of Singapore.svg Lion City Sailors 6213814−67 1–2 1–4 — 3–2
      4 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shandong Taishan 6015224−221 0–7 0–5 0–0 —
      Source: AFC
      Notes:
      1. 1 2 Head-to-head points: Daegu FC 4, Urawa Red Diamonds 1.

      Group G

      PosTeam
      		PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification BGP MCY JND UCT
      1 Flag of Thailand.svg BG Pathum United (H)6330112+912Advance to Round of 16 — 1–1 0–0 5–0
      2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Melbourne City 6330103+712 0–0 — 2–1 3–0
      3 Flag of South Korea.svg Jeonnam Dragons 62225508 0–2 1–1 — 2–0
      4 Flag of the Philippines.svg United City 6006117−160 1–3 0–3 0–1 —
      Source: AFC
      (H) Hosts

      Group H

      PosTeam
      		PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification YFM JBH HOA SYD
      1 Flag of Japan.svg Yokohama F. Marinos 641193+613Advance to Round of 16 — 0–1 2–0 3–0
      2 Flag of South Korea.svg Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 633074+312 1–1 — 1–0 0–0
      3 Flag of Vietnam.svg Hoang Anh Gia Lai (H)612347−35 1–2 1–1 — 1–0
      4 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sydney FC 602439−62 0–1 2–3 1–1 —
      Source: AFC
      (H) Hosts

      Group I

      PosTeam
      		PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification JDT KSF ULS GZH
      1 Flag of Malaysia.svg Johor Darul Ta'zim (H)6411117+413Advance to Round of 16 — 0–5 2–1 5–0
      2 Flag of Japan.svg Kawasaki Frontale 6321174+1311 0–0 — 1–1 1–0
      3 Flag of South Korea.svg Ulsan Hyundai 6312147+710 1–2 3–2 — 3–0
      4 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Guangzhou 6006024−240 0–2 0–8 0–5 —
      Source: AFC
      (H) Hosts

      Group J

      PosTeam
      		PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification VKO KIT CRU SHP
      1 Flag of Japan.svg Vissel Kobe 4220103+78Advance to Round of 16 — 2–1 6–0 Canc.
      2 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Kitchee 421176+17 2–2 — 1–0 Canc.
      3 Flag of Thailand.svg Chiangrai United (H)4013210−81 0–0 2–3 — Canc.
      4 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shanghai Port 00000000Withdrew [36] Canc. Canc. Canc. —
      Source: AFC
      (H) Hosts

      Ranking of second-placed teams

      West Region

      PosGrpTeam
      		PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
      1 A Flag of Qatar.svg Al-Rayyan 6411107+313Advance to Round of 16
      2 C Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Shabab Al-Ahli 6240147+710
      3 E Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Nasaf Qarshi 623185+39
      4 D Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Taawoun 62131312+17
      5 B Flag of India.svg Mumbai City 6213311−87
      Source: AFC
      Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Disciplinary points; 5) Drawing of lots.

      East Region

      As Group J only had three teams remaining, the results against fourth-placed teams in Groups F–I were omitted in this ranking. [36]

      PosGrpTeam
      		PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
      1 H Flag of South Korea.svg Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 422031+28Advance to Round of 16
      2 F Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds 4211102+87
      3 J Flag of Hong Kong.svg Kitchee 421176+17
      4 G Flag of Australia (converted).svg Melbourne City 413043+16
      5 I Flag of Japan.svg Kawasaki Frontale 412184+45
      Source: AFC
      Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Disciplinary points; 5) Drawing of lots.

      Knockout stage

      In the knockout stage, the 16 teams played a single-elimination tournament, with the teams split into the two regions until the final. All ties were played as a single-leg match (Regulations Article 9.1), except for the final, which was played over two legs. Extra time and penalty shoot-out were used to decide the winners if necessary (Regulations Article 9.3 and 10.1). [33]

      Bracket

       
      		 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
       
      		                      
       
      		19 February 2023 – Doha
       
       
      		 Flag of Qatar.svg Al-Duhail (p)1 (7)
       
      		23 February 2023 – Doha
       
      		 Flag of Qatar.svg Al-Rayyan 1 (6)
       
      		 Flag of Qatar.svg Al-Duhail 2
       
      		19 February 2023 – Al Wakrah
       
      		 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Shabab 1
       
      		 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Shabab 2
       
      		26 February 2023 – Doha
       
      		 Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Nasaf Qarshi 0
       
      		 Flag of Qatar.svg Al-Duhail 0
       
      		20 February 2023 – Doha
       
      		 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal 7
       
      		 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Faisaly 0
       
      		23 February 2023 – Al Wakrah
       
      		 Flag of Iran.svg Foolad 1
       
      		 Flag of Iran.svg Foolad 0
       
      		20 February 2023 – Al Wakrah
       
      		 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal 1
       
      		 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal 3
       
      		29 April and 6 May 2023
       
      		 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Shabab Al-Ahli 1
       
      		 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal 101
       
      		18 August 2022 - Saitama
       
      		 Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds 112
       
      		 Flag of Japan.svg Vissel Kobe 3
       
      		22 August 2022 - Saitama
       
      		 Flag of Japan.svg Yokohama F. Marinos 2
       
      		 Flag of Japan.svg Vissel Kobe 1
       
      		18 August 2022 - Urawa Komaba
       
      		 Flag of South Korea.svg Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (a.e.t.)3
       
      		 Flag of South Korea.svg Daegu FC 1
       
      		25 August 2022 - Saitama
       
      		 Flag of South Korea.svg Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (a.e.t.)2
       
      		 Flag of South Korea.svg Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2 (1)
       
      		19 August 2022 - Saitama
       
      		 Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds (p)2 (3)
       
      		 Flag of Malaysia.svg Johor Darul Ta'zim 0
       
      		22 August 2022 - Saitama
       
      		 Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds 5
       
      		 Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds 4
       
      		19 August 2022 - Urawa Komaba
       
      		 Flag of Thailand.svg BG Pathum United 0
       
      		 Flag of Thailand.svg BG Pathum United 4
       
       
      		 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Kitchee SC 0
       

      Round of 16

      The round of 16 was played over one leg, with the matchups determined by the combination tables based on which group runners-up qualified.

      Team 1 Score Team 2
      West Region
      Al-Hilal Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg 3–1 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Shabab Al-Ahli
      Al-Shabab Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg 2–0 Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Nasaf Qarshi
      Al-Duhail Flag of Qatar.svg 1–1 (a.e.t.)
      (7–6 p)      		 Flag of Qatar.svg Al-Rayyan
      Al-Faisaly Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg 0–1 Flag of Iran.svg Foolad
      Team 1 Score Team 2
      East Region
      Daegu FC Flag of South Korea.svg 1–2 (a.e.t.) Flag of South Korea.svg Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
      BG Pathum United Flag of Thailand.svg 4–0 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Kitchee
      Johor Darul Ta'zim Flag of Malaysia.svg 0–5 Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds
      Vissel Kobe Flag of Japan.svg 3–2 Flag of Japan.svg Yokohama F. Marinos

      Quarter-finals

      The quarter-finals were played over one leg.

      Team 1 Score Team 2
      West Region
      Al-Duhail Flag of Qatar.svg 2–1 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Shabab
      Foolad Flag of Iran.svg 0–1 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal
      Team 1 Score Team 2
      East Region
      Vissel Kobe Flag of Japan.svg 1–3 (a.e.t.) Flag of South Korea.svg Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
      Urawa Red Diamonds Flag of Japan.svg 4–0 Flag of Thailand.svg BG Pathum United

      Semi-finals

      The semi-finals were played over one leg.

      Team 1 Score Team 2
      West Region
      Al-Duhail Flag of Qatar.svg 0–7 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal
      Team 1 Score Team 2
      East Region
      Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Flag of South Korea.svg 2–2 (a.e.t.)
      (1–3 p)      		 Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds

      Final

      The final was played over two legs.

      Al-Hilal Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg 1–1 Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds
      		Report
      King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh
      Attendance: 50,881
      Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)
      Urawa Red Diamonds Flag of Japan.svg 1–0 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal
      Carrillo Soccerball shade.svg48' (o.g.) Report
      Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama
      Attendance: 53,574
      Referee: Ma Ning (China)

      Urawa Red Diamonds won 2–1 on aggregate.

      Top scorers

        Team eliminated for this round.
        Player was not in the team but the team was still active for this round.
      RankPlayerTeamMD1MD2MD3MD4MD5MD6R16QFSFF1F2Total
      1 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Edmilson Junior Flag of Qatar.svg Al-Duhail 13228
      2 Flag of Nigeria.svg Odion Ighalo Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal 2147
      Flag of Brazil.svg Zeca Flag of South Korea.svg Daegu FC 31111
      4 Flag of Brazil.svg Bergson Flag of Malaysia.svg Johor Darul Ta'zim 3126
      Flag of Japan.svg Yusuke Matsuo Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds 1221
      Flag of Kenya.svg Michael Olunga Flag of Qatar.svg Al-Duhail 1122
      7 Flag of Argentina.svg Federico Cartabia Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Shabab Al-Ahli 11125
      Flag of Brazil.svg Carlos Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Shabab 221
      Flag of Sweden.svg David Moberg Karlsson Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds 1121
      10 Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg Yohan Boli Flag of Qatar.svg Al-Rayyan 214
      Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Salem Al-Dawsari Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Hilal 1111
      Flag of Japan.svg Yu Kobayashi Flag of Japan.svg Kawasaki Frontale 22
      Flag of Denmark.svg Kasper Junker Flag of Japan.svg Urawa Red Diamonds 121
      Flag of Turkmenistan.svg Arslanmyrat Amanow Flag of Turkmenistan.svg Ahal 13

      Note: Goals scored in the qualifying play-offs and matches voided by AFC are not counted when determining top scorer (Regulations Article 64.4). [33]

      See also

      Notes

      1. ↑ Shan United withdrew from the AFC Champions League and Melbourne Victory entered the play-off round instead of the preliminary round. [34]
      2. ↑ Changchun Yatai withdrew from the competition after the draw. AFC decided to cancel the play-off match, and the winner of preliminary stage, Sydney FC, automatically advanced to the group stage. [35]

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      References

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      2. ↑ "AFC Executive Committee unveils dynamic enhancements to the AFC Club Competitions". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
      3. ↑ "More Member Associations to benefit from inclusive AFC Champions League". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 23 November 2019. Archived from the original on 27 November 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
      4. ↑ "AFC's club competitions set for strategic reforms". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 30 November 2021. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
      5. ↑ Orlowitz, Dan (6 May 2023). "Urawa beats Al Hilal to capture third Asian Champions League title". The Japan Times. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
      6. ↑ "المحرق خارج دوري أبطال آسيا رسميًا - صحيفة الأيام البحرينية". alayam.com. Archived from the original on 2022-10-23. Retrieved 2022-10-23.
      7. ↑ "AFC Club Competitions Ranking Mechanics". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. Archived from the original on 2019-04-21. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
      8. ↑ "Entry Manual for AFC Club Competitions (2021 Edition)". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. Archived from the original on 2020-11-01. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
      9. ↑ "More Member Associations to benefit from inclusive AFC Champions League". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 23 November 2019. Archived from the original on 27 November 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
      10. ↑ "Four Thailand clubs in AFC Champions League 2021; Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore also get group stage entry – Reports". Fox Sports Asia. 4 December 2019. Archived from the original on 6 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
      11. 1 2 3 "AFC Club Competitions Ranking". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. Archived from the original on 2020-12-20. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
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      14. ↑ "إتحاد القدم: ثلاث أندية تحصلوا على الرخصة للمشاركة في دوري أبطال آسيا". Archived from the original on 2021-11-22. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
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      17. ↑ "Latest update on the AFC Champions League 2022". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 1 March 2022. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
      18. 1 2 "Latest update on the AFC Champions League 2022". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 11 April 2022. Archived from the original on 22 April 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
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      20. ↑ "رسمياً.. عدم منح الاتحاد والنصر الرخصة الآسيوية". Archived from the original on 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
      21. ↑ "الهلال والشباب والفيصلي والتعاون لأبطال آسيا". November 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-11-01. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
      22. ↑ Terrado, Jonas (31 October 2021). "United City to skip Copa Paulino Alcantara". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
      23. 1 2 "List of Licensed Clubs for the 2022 AFC Cup" (PDF). the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-03-27. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
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      25. ↑ Vietnam football [@soccervietnam] (September 23, 2021). "Following the cancellation of the 2021 #vleague, it's now confirmed: no championship title awarded, no relegation/promotion, the ranking of teams after 12 rounds determines ACL & AFC allocations" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 September 2021– via Twitter.
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      29. ↑ "Latest update on the AFC Champions League 2022". the-AFC. 9 December 2022. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
      30. ↑ "AFC competitions calendar 2022". Asian Football Confederation. 29 November 2019. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
      31. ↑ "AFC competitions calendar 2022". Asian Football Confederation. 29 November 2019. Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
      32. ↑ "Latest update on the AFC Club Competitions in 2021 and 2022". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 5 July 2021. Archived from the original on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
      33. 1 2 3 4 "AFC Champions League 2022 Competition Regulations" (PDF). the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation.
      34. ↑ "AFC confirms the withdrawal of Myanmar clubs". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 19 January 2022.
      35. ↑ "Latest update on the AFC Champions League 2022". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 1 March 2022.
      36. 1 2 "Latest update on the AFC Champions League 2022™". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
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