2008 AFC Champions League

The 2008 AFC Champions League was the 27th AFC Champions League, the top-level Asian club football tournament, and the 6th under the current AFC Champions League title. It was the last AFC Champions League before the competition expanded to 32 teams.

Gamba Osaka defeated Adelaide United 5–0 on aggregate in the final to win their first AFC Champions League title. Both clubs qualified for the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup: Gamba Osaka as the AFC representative, and Adelaide United as the host nation's representative, since Japan's spot was reallocated due to Gamba Osaka's qualification as continental champion.

Urawa Red Diamonds were the defending champions, but were eliminated by the eventual winners Gamba Osaka in the semi-finals.

Format

Group stage A total of 28 clubs were divided into seven 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 the other three group members, a total of six matches each. Clubs received three points for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss. The clubs were ranked according to points and tie breakers were in the following order:

Points in head-to-head matches among the tied teams; Goal difference in head-to-head matches among the tied teams; Goals scored in head-to-head matches among the tied teams; Goal difference in all group matches; Goals scored in all group matches;

The seven group winners along with the defending champion (Urawa Red Diamonds) advanced to the quarter-finals. Knockout stage An open draw was held for the knockout stage; teams from the same group or the same association could not be drawn against each other. Each tie was played on a home-and-away two-legged basis. The away goals rule, extra time and penalty shoot-outs were used to decide the winner if necessary.

Schedule StageRoundDraw dateFirst legSecond legGroup stageMatchday 112 December 200712 March 2008Matchday 219 March 2008Matchday 39 April 2008Matchday 423 April 2008Matchday 58 May 2008Matchday 621 May 2008Knockout stageQuarter-finals24 May 200817 September 200824 September 2008Semi-finals8 October 200822 October 2008Final5 November 200812 November 2008

Teams Indonesia were initially allocated two entries. However, on 12 December 2007, the AFC redistributed Indonesia's entries to Thailand and Vietnam as the Indonesian domestic league and cup tournament wouldn't be completed in time for the start of the tournament.

West AsiaEast AsiaQuarter-finalsTeamQualifying methodTeamQualifying method Urawa Red Diamonds2007 AFC Champions League championsGroup StageTeamQualifying methodTeamQualifying method Saipa2006–07 Persian Gulf Cup champions Melbourne Victory2006–07 A-League premiers Sepahan2006–07 Hazfi Cup winners Adelaide United2006–07 A-League regular season runners-up Erbil2006–07 Iraqi Premier League champions Changchun Yatai2007 Chinese Super League champions Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya2006–07 Iraqi Premier League runners-up Beijing Guoan2007 Chinese Super League runners-up Kuwait SC2006–07 Kuwaiti Premier League champions Kashima Antlers 2007 J.League Division 1 champions Al Qadisiya2007 Kuwait Emir Cup winners Gamba Osaka2007 J.League Division 1 third-place Al Sadd2006–07 Qatar Stars League champions Pohang Steelers2007 K League champions Al-Gharafa2006–07 Qatar Stars League runners-up Chunnam Dragons2007 Korean FA Cup winners Al-Ittihad2006–07 Saudi Premier League champions Chonburi2007 Thailand Premier League champions Al Ahli2006–07 Saudi Crown Prince Cup winners Krung Thai Bank2007 Thailand Premier League runners-up Al-Karamah2006–07 Syrian Premier League champions Bình Dương 2007 V-League champions Al-Ittihad 2006–07 Syrian Premier League runners-up Nam Định 2007 Vietnamese Cup winners Al Wasl2006–07 UAE Football League champions Al Wahda2006–07 UAE Football League runners-up Pakhtakor2007 Uzbek League champions Bunyodkor2007 Uzbek League runners-up Notes

Group stage

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Group E

Group F

Group G

Knock-out stage

Bracket

Quarter-finals

Semi-finals

Final

Top scorers The top scorers from the 2008 AFC Champions League are as follows:

Rank Player Club Goals 1 Nantawat Thansopa Krung Thai Bank 9 2 Lucas Gamba Osaka 6 3 Marquinhos Kashima Antlers 5 Masato Yamazaki Gamba Osaka Kone Kassim Krung Thai Bank Yuzo Tashiro Kashima Antlers Danilo Kashima Antlers 8 Takuya Nozawa Kashima Antlers 4 Tiago Beijing Guoan Villanueva Bunyodkor Diego Walsh Adelaide United

Fair Play Award Gamba Osaka

2008 AFC Champions League

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