#ACL through the years: Stats & Facts

Wed, 22 May, 2024

#ACL through the years: Stats & Facts

Kuala Lumpur: Some 21 years since Al Ain FC beat Thailand’s BEC Tero Sasana to win the inaugural AFC Champions League™, the curtain will come down on the continental competition in its current format following the second leg of the 2023/24 final between the Emiratis and Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos.

The tournament has provided numerous thrilling moments during more than two decades of action, with Asia’s finest talents and FIFA World Cup-winning players and coaches among those who have been on display. 

As fans across the continent look forward to Saturday’s showpiece event, the-AFC.com reflects on some of the key stats and facts from over the years.

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#ACL through the years - Great Goals

Wed, 22 May, 2024

#ACL through the years - Great Goals

Riyadh: Trophies might be the ultimate target for clubs and competing in Asia’s top club competition, but for players, the moment of knowing they scored a great goal brings a special feeling of pride.

Over the years, the AFC Champions League has treated us to some unforgettable goals, from long-range belters to brilliant solo efforts to intelligently executed finishes. The-AFC.com brings back some of the greatest goals ahead of the last-ever final.

#ACL through the years - Hotshots

Mon, 20 May, 2024

#ACL through the years - Hotshots

Kuala Lumpur: Over the years, the AFC Champions League™ has seen no shortage of star strikers with some of the best forwards from Asia and beyond appearing in the continental competition.

Whether it be consistent scoring across numerous campaigns or incredible single-season tallies, goalscorers have so often stolen the spotlight in Asia’s premier club tournament.

As Asian football gets set to move into a new era from next season, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the finest frontmen to grace the continental competition.

#ACL through the years – Master Tacticians

Mon, 20 May, 2024

#ACL through the years – Master Tacticians

Kuala Lumpur: Over its two decades of history, the AFC Champions League™ was won by 19 coaches from 12 different countries, including names that range from world famous tacticians to homegrown club heroes.

As Hernan Crespo and Harry Kewell look horns from the dugouts in the final of the last edition of the AFC Champions League in its present format, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the best head coaches to have won the coveted prize.

#ACL through the years – Iconic Moments

Sat, 18 May, 2024

#ACL through the years – Iconic Moments

Kuala Lumpur: As the AFC Champions League™ gets set to draw to a close following the second leg of the final between Al Ain FC and Yokohama F. Marinos, the-AFC.com continues to look back at some of the highlights from over the years.

This time round, we rewind the clock to some of the most iconic and standout occasions in the tournament’s 21-year history with moments that will live long in the memory of Asian football fans. 

#ACL through the years - Heartbreaks

Sat, 18 May, 2024

#ACL through the years - Heartbreaks

Kuala Lumpur: The end of the AFC Champions League™ era in its present format brings back to fans of Asian football two decades of happy memories and successes, but also unforgettable moments of heartbreak which is part of the beauty of the game.

As Al Ain FC and Yokohama F. Marinos prepare to conclude the era that started in 2003/04 with the final showdown at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, the-AFC.com recounts some of ever-lasting heartbreak moments for fans of some of Asia’s top clubs.

#ACL through the years - Overseas Stars

Fri, 17 May, 2024

#ACL through the years - Overseas Stars

Kuala Lumpur: It’ll be the end of an era in Asian football as the AFC Champions League™ bids farewell and makes way for the AFC Champions League Elite and the AFC Champions League 2 from next season.

During its 21-year run, Asia’s premier club competition has witnessed some of the biggest stars in world football turn up for clubs from across the continent and leave an indelible mark on the tournament.  

With the second leg of the final between Al Ain FC and Yokohama F. Marinos set to bring down the curtains on the tournament, the-AFC.com walks down memory lane to showcase some of the best imports to have graced the competition. 

#ACL through the years - Asian Legends

Thu, 16 May, 2024

#ACL through the years - Asian Legends

Kuala Lumpur: The second leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final between Al Ain FC and Yokohama F. Marinos will bring the curtain down on the continental competition in its current guise as the AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League 2 get set to kick off next season.

Over the tournament’s 21-year history, fans of Asian football have witnessed memorable matches, special teams and top-quality players from all over the world.

As the-AFC.com continues to look back at the AFC Champions League through the years, today we highlight some of the best Asian players to appear in the competition.