group match
The team competition is divided into 8 groups, with 4 teams in each group and 32 teams participating. The operation steps of the group stage are as follows:
Step 1: draw lots for grouping.
Before the start of the group match, the AFC will draw lots to divide 32 teams into 8 groups. Each team will play in the home and away double round robin system.
Step 2: Competition
The group stage will be held for six rounds, and the top two in each group will advance to the knockout stage. The time and place of the group match will be arranged by the AFC and announced in official website.
Step 3: Rank the scores
The ranking of points in the group stage is the key to advance to the knockout stage. 3 points for victory, 0 points for draw 1 point and 0 points for failure in each game. If two or more teams score the same, they will be ranked according to the following rules:
1. goal difference (goal difference = number of goals-number of goals conceded)
2. Number of goals scored
3. The result of direct confrontation
elimination game
The knockout stage is divided into four stages: pre-16, top 8, semi-final and final. The operation steps of the knockout stage are as follows:
Step 1: draw lots for grouping.
The draw grouping in the knockout stage is different from the group stage. /kloc-the draw for the 0/6 stage will be made after the group match, while the draw for the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals will be made before the match.
Step 2: Competition
The knockout round adopts the home and away two-turn system. In the first 16 and the first 8 stages, when the total score of the two teams is the same, the outcome will be decided according to the number of away goals. In the semi-finals and finals, if the game is still tied after two rounds, there will be overtime and penalty shootout.
Step 3: Promotion
The rules for promotion in the knockout stage are simple, and the winning team advances to the next round. The winning team will become the champion of the AFC Champions League.