2023–24 AFC Champions League group stage
The 2023–24 AFC Champions League group stage was played from September to December 2023.
A total of 40 teams competed in the group stage to decide the 16 places in the knockout stage of the 2023–24 AFC Champions League.
Draw
The draw for the group stage was held on 24 August 2023 at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[1] 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.
Format
In the group stage, each group was played in a double round-robin format on home and away basis. The winners of each group and three best runners-up from each region 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 8.3):[2]
- Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- 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;
- Goal difference in all group matches;
- Goals scored in all group matches;
- Penalty shoot-out if only two teams playing each other in the last round of the group are tied;
- 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);
- Association ranking.
Schedule
The schedule of the group stage was as follows.[3]
Round | Dates |
---|---|
Matchday 1 | 18–20 September 2023 |
Matchday 2 | 2–4 October 2023 |
Matchday 3 | 23–25 October 2023 |
Matchday 4 | 6–8 November 2023 |
Matchday 5 | 27–29 November 2023 |
Matchday 6 | 4–6, 12–13 December 2023 |
Groups
The detailed schedule was announced on 24 August 2023 after the draw ceremony.[4] It was updated on 6 September.[5]
Group A
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | AIN | FEI | PAK | AHA | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 9 | +8 | 15 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 4–1 | 1–3 | 4–2 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 10 | +2 | 9 | 2–3 | — | 2–0 | 3–1 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 11 | −3 | 7 | 0–3 | 1–4 | — | 3–0 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 13 | −7 | 4 | 1–2 | 1–0 | 1–1 | — |
Pakhtakor ![]() | 0–3 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Pakhtakor ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Ahal ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Group B
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | NAS | SAD | SHJ | FAI | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 6 | +4 | 11 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 7 | +4 | 8[a] | 2–2 | — | 0–0 | 6–0 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 8[a] | 1–0 | 0–2 | — | 1–0 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 12 | −7 | 6 | 0–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | — |
Al-Faisaly ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Sharjah ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Sharjah ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Al Sadd ![]() | 6–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
Al-Faisaly ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Nasaf ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Al-Faisaly ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Group C
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ITH | SEP | QWJ | AGK | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | +7 | 15 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 2–1 | 1–0 | 3–0 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 8 | +8 | 10[a] | 0–3[b] | — | 1–0 | 9–0 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 7 | +2 | 10[a] | 2–0 | 2–2 | — | 3–2 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 22 | −17 | 0 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | — |
- ^ a b Ranked on head-to-head points: Sepahan 4, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 1.
- ^ The match was abandoned after Al-Ittihad walked off in protest due to the presence of a sculpture of Qasem Soleimani on the pitch.[6] The match was awarded a 3–0 win to Al-Ittihad, with Sepahan also being fined $200,000 and banned from hosting its next three Asian Champions League matches at home.[7][8]
Al-Ittihad ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya ![]() | 2–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
AGMK ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
AGMK ![]() | 1–3 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Al-Ittihad ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Sepahan ![]() | 9–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
AGMK ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Sepahan ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Al-Ittihad ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya ![]() | 3–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Group D
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | HIL | NAV | NAS | MUM | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 2 | +14 | 16 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 1–1 | 2–1 | 6–0 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 6 | +5 | 13 | 0–2 | — | 2–1 | 3–0 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 10 | −3 | 6 | 0–3 | 1–3 | — | 2–0 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 17 | −16 | 0 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 0–2 | — |
Al-Hilal ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Mumbai City ![]() | 0–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
Navbahor ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Navbahor ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Al-Hilal ![]() | 6–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Nassaji Mazandaran ![]() | 1–3 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Navbahor ![]() | 0–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Al-Hilal ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Mumbai City ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Group E
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | NSR | PRS | DUH | IST | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 7 | +6 | 14 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 0–0 | 4–3 | 3–1 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 0–2 | — | 1–2 | 2–0 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 2–3 | 0–1 | — | 2–0 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | −6 | 3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–0 | — |
Persepolis ![]() | 0–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Al-Duhail ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report | Alishah ![]() |
Persepolis ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Istiklol ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Sebai ![]() |
Report | Torabi ![]() |
Al Nassr ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
Persepolis ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Group F
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | UTD | JBH | LCS | KIT | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 8 | +3 | 13 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 3–2 | 1–0 | 1–1 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 12 | 3–2 | — | 3–0 | 2–1 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 9 | −4 | 6 | 1–2 | 2–0 | — | 0–2 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 9 | −2 | 4 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | — |
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Lion City Sailors ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Bangkok United ![]() | 3–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Kitchee ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Kitchee ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Lion City Sailors ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Bangkok United ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Kitchee ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Lion City Sailors ![]() | 0–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors ![]() | 3–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Group G
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | FMA | SHT | ICN | KAY | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 7 | +5 | 12[a] | Advance to round of 16 | — | 3–0 | 2–4 | 3–0 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 7 | +7 | 12[a] | 0–1 | — | 3–1 | 6–1 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 9 | +5 | 12[a] | 2–1 | 0–2 | — | 4–0 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 21 | −17 | 0 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — |
Yokohama F. Marinos ![]() | 2–4 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Kaya–Iloilo ![]() | 1–3 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Shandong Taishan ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Yokohama F. Marinos ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Shandong Taishan ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Kaya–Iloilo ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Incheon United ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Shandong Taishan ![]() | 6–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Yokohama F. Marinos ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Kaya–Iloilo ![]() | 1–3 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Group H
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | VEN | MCY | ZHP | BUR | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 8 | +3 | 11 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 3–3 | 4–1 | 1–0 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 9 | 0–0 | — | 1–1 | 0–1 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 13 | −4 | 7 | 2–0 | 1–2 | — | 3–2 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 10 | −1 | 6 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 4–1 | — |
Ventforet Kofu ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Zhejiang ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Ventforet Kofu ![]() | 4–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Melbourne City ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
Zhejiang ![]() | 3–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Melbourne City ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Group I
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | KWF | UHD | JDT | BGP | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 6 | +11 | 16 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 1–0 | 5–0 | 4–2 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 8 | +4 | 10 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 3–1 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 13 | −2 | 9 | 0–1 | 2–1 | — | 4–1 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 22 | −13 | 0 | 2–4 | 1–3 | 2–4 | — |
Ulsan Hyundai ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
BG Pathum United ![]() | 2–4 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
Ulsan Hyundai ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
BG Pathum United ![]() | 2–4 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Kawasaki Frontale ![]() | 4–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Johor Darul Ta'zim ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
BG Pathum United ![]() | 1–3 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Kawasaki Frontale ![]() | 5–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
Group J
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | POH | RED | HAN | WTT | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 5 | +9 | 16 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 2–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | |
2 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 7 | 0–2 | — | 6–0 | 2–1 | ||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 16 | −9 | 6 | 2–4 | 2–1 | — | 2–1 | ||
4 | ![]() |
6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 11 | −3 | 5 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | — |
Wuhan Three Towns ![]() | 2–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Hanoi FC ![]() | 2–4 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Urawa Red Diamonds ![]() | 6–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
Pohang Steelers ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Wuhan Three Towns ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Pohang Steelers ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Hanoi FC ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Pohang Steelers ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Lee Ho-jae ![]() Ha Chang-rae ![]() |
Report |
Wuhan Three Towns ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Hanoi FC ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Ranking of second-placed teams
West Region
Pos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | D | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 6 | +5 | 13 | Advance to round of 16 |
2 | C | ![]() |
6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 8 | +8 | 10 | |
3 | A | ![]() |
6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 10 | +2 | 9 | |
4 | B | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 7 | +4 | 8 | |
5 | E | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
East Region
Pos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | G | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 7 | +7 | 12 | Advance to round of 16 |
2 | F | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 12 | |
3 | I | ![]() |
6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 8 | +4 | 10 | |
4 | H | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 9 | |
5 | J | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 7 |
See also
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab Team did not use their own home stadium.
- ^ The match was abandoned due to the visiting team's protest over the presence of a sculpture of Qasem Soleimani on the pitch.[6] The match was awarded as a 3–0 win to Al-Ittihad due to Sepahan's violation of the rules.[7][8]
- ^ a b After an investigation about displaying a sculpture of Qassem Soleimani during the home match against Ittihad FC, Sepahan were banned from playing three home matches of this competition at Naghsh-e-Jahan Stadium. Since Sepahan qualified for the knockout stage, this ban will include the home leg in the round of 16.[9]
References
- ^ "#ACL: Teams learn the path to glory". AFC. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ "Competition Regulations AFC Champions League 2023/24" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ "Asian Football Calendar (Aug 2023 – Jul 2024)". The AFC. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "AFC Champions League Group Stage Draw Results & Match Schedule" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ "AFC Champions League Group Stage Draw Results & Match Schedule (as at 6 September 2023)" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ a b Blow, Tom (2 October 2023). "Al-Ittihad match cancelled as they refuse to play in Iran due to statue by pitch". The Mirror. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Iranian club Sepahan penalized over canceled ACL match after Saudi team's walkout". AP News. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Al-Ittihad's match against Iran's Sepahan 3-0 for saudi side due to Qassem Soleimani busts in stadium". Arab News. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
- ^ "Sepahan handed fine, stadium ban after Al-Ittihad cancellation". Reuters. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Mumbai City To Play AFC Champions League 'Home' Games In Pune". Mumbai City FC. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ "Venue Update: Mumbai City FC vs Al Hilal SFC". Mumbai City FC. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ "Melbourne City relocates Champions League match to Ikon Park". Austadiums. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.