The 16 teams that advanced to the AFC Champions League knockout have all been confirmed, and Shandong Taishan team has become the only seedling of the Super League team. Beijing time 13 night, the AFC official confirmed that the draw ceremony for the knockout will be held on February 28, 2023.
According to the competition system, the first place of the five teams in East Asia and the second place of the three teams with the best results advanced to the knockout stage. However, the draw for the knockout round did not distinguish between the first group and the second group, but was a mixed draw of eight teams. East Asia and West Asia will compete for a final team and meet in two rounds of finals.
The AFC Champions League qualifying teams are Bangkok United (Thailand), Yokohama Mariners (Japan), Jiafu LAM Raymond (Japan), Kawasaki Forward (Japan), Posco Steel (Korea), Jeonbuk Hyundai (Korea), Shandong Taishan (China), Ulsan Hyundai (Korea), Ain (United Arab Emirates) and Nassaf (United Arab Emirates).
Introduction of AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League, also known as the Asian Champions League, is an Asian club football tournament founded by the AFC in 2002, formerly known as the Asian Championship and the Asian Club Championship.
The AFC Champions League is the highest level of club football in Asia, on the same level as the European Champions League and the Libertadores Cup in South America, and higher than the AFC Champions Cup. The winning team will represent AFC in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The first match (the AFC Champions League in 2002/03) was held in different years, and the previous AFC Champions League matches were all completed in the same natural year. Since 2023, the AFC Champions League has resumed the New Year's Eve system, and the number of foreign aid has increased from "3+ 1" in the 2023/24 season to "5+ 1". Starting from the 2024-2025 season, AFC Champions League will be replaced by AFC Champions League and AFC Champions League.