2012 AFC Champions League

I reckon 3 is too many for a 10 team league. Though their intention was to have 4 teams playing off for 2 spots and I think in that case A-League should get one of those so 2.5 is fine.

What's most dumb to me, is that they gave one of the EAST allocated places.........to Uzbekistan.

 

Well looking at the countries that can qualify to the Champions League, the amount of teams is west side heavy, so why not move Uzbekistan to the East, at least until some more Easter countries can meet AFC CL standards?

 

The bizarre thing is though that some Eastern nations did score more points than Uzbekistan but still got less slots.

What I don't understand is that the AFC say China, Korea, Australia and Thailand get group stage slots and playoff slots. So, what is it? If they already have a group stage slot then surely they have met the bleeding criteira full stop. Why the need for playoff spot? The teams in the playoffs should have taken this Uzbek teams slot.

What the hell are Uzbekistan doing in East Asia? It is just simply ridiculous and AFC have never really said why. They are setting themselves up to knock the East/West to the side, which might just be one step to far.

 

nice to see two Qatar vs. Uzbekistan games Al Rayyan vs. Nasaf Qarshi & Al Arabi vs. Pakhtakor... no Bunyodkor though and these aren't really the best Qatari teams so the games themselves probably won't be great, but would be nice to get the Uzbek footy fans back here again.....

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlzgScLQQG8"]Asian Cup 2011: Uzbekistan 2-0 Qatar - 1st goal - YouTube[/ame]

 

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has decided to grant the provisional measures requested by the Indonesian Football Club Persipura Jayapura and to order the reinstatement of the club in the AFC Champions League 2012.

Persipura was supposed to play the 2012 AFC Champions League Playoffs (East-Zone) on 11 February 2012 against Adelaïde United FC (Australia). At the end of November 2011, the Indonesian FA (PSSI) decided to remove Persipura from the AFC Champions League for disciplinary reasons and requested the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to replace the club with Persija Jakarta. The AFC noted the removal of Persipura but did not accept the participation of Persija Jakarta. As a consequence, Adelaïde United FC was exempted from the playoff match and was granted direct access to the group stage of the competition (first match to be played on 6 March 2012).

On the basis of the CAS decision on request for provisional measures, Persipura Jayapura will be entitled to play the playoff match versus Adelaïde United FC. In case of qualification, the status of Persipura would have to be determined by the CAS after examination of the arguments of the parties (i.e. Persipura, PSSI, AFC and Adelaïde United FC) on the merits of this case.

http://www.tas-cas.org/en/infogenerales.asp/4-3-5626-1092-4-1-1/5-0-1092-15-1-1/

 

I heard Adelaide United are protesting that decision.

 

Well, as far as I'm concerned, Adelaide are now in the group stages, surely AFC can't take them back out. It wouldn't be fair on any team in this situation, they have prepared for the away games in the group stages on the pitch, scouting, and even travel etc.

Now, the CAS statement says the Indonesian FA decided to remove the club. End of the day it is the leagues who make the decision as to who enters contintal competition. We all naturally consider league winners and cup winners in some national leagues, but with all this new AFC critiera malarky, the AFC did open themselves up to accept any club from any qualfiying nation. Of course, they didn't accept Indonesia's Persija for whatever reason and can't accept Persipura because Indoensian FA removed them from selection. So AFC can't admit a team that wasn't even in the draw initially.

If CAS do get their way, and lets face it these kind of things will go to appeal and get set back way into the actual tournament, but if fastracked then Adelaide should be in the Group Stages and Persipura should play either Pohang or Chonburi in a playoff final rather than calling back Adelaide.

 

Game now added to the AFC schedule: 16th Feb.

http://www.the-afc.com/en/acl2012-schedule-results?view=Competitions&id=430

 

So they're only playing one game...........and it's at Adelaide's home ground, not a neutral venue.

That's messed up.

 

The playoffs are only one game anyway, and the draw did pit Adelaide as the host, so everything that was done at Decembers draw has been kept.

 

But the loser is out, and not into the AFC Cup.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/adelaide-united/news/1093001/Reds-ordered-to-play-off-for-ACL-spot

 

Technically I guess the loser could complain to CAS to be included in the competition if they wished!!

Of course, if the loser was to play, then two teams who should have played a playoff match in the AFC Cup but got promoted to the group stage would have to be re-jigged at even shorter notice now!

 

Why isn't Adelaide threatening to press a counter sue? They will look like they are knee jerking if they complain after they lose.

 

And what are they going to counter sue on? They were drawn into the playoffs and low and behold have to play in the playoffs.

The Indonesian team want to play football on merit, they were kicked out by their own corrupt FA who FIFA have ignored for years. And this is the outcome.

 

Nearly two months before the announcement, Adelaide was publicly told that they will not be taking part in the playoffs. CAS can't just ask Adelaide to take part in a match they have not prepared for. Persipura Jayapura, knowing what was happening upstairs in their club's office, most likely would have been getting ready in advance. In any case, Persipura would be more prepared than Adelaide is.

If there is corruption within Indonesian football, and if Persipura is a victim, then I feel sorry for the club. It, however, doesn't mean another club has to suffer. Adelaide has more than enough of a case to file a complaint.

 

The Japanese ref (and his assistants) had a very good game and yellow carded the first PJ player who took a dive theereby ensuring a game played in the right spirit. For the most part he was unobtrusive and calm and there were no contentious offside decisions either.

Meanwhile there are dark rumours that Adelaide United may have fielded an ineligible player in Cassio who was yellow carded twice in one game when he last played in the ACL in 2010.

 

Esteghlal FC (IRN) 3 - 1 Al Ettifaq (SA) FT.

Esteghlal qualifies to ACL.

 

Here are the goals, with Arabic commentary, so that our Saudi friends could enjoy their team's humiliation even more. I am afraid your F-16 has crashed in Tehran.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHQrOMmiPqg"]‫??????? ????? ( 3-1 ) ??????? | ???? ????? ???? 2012‬‎ - YouTube[/ame]

 

Thousands of Perspolis fans also showed up to cheer for Esteghlal. The Saudis have managed to do the impossible, bringing together Perspolis and Esteghlal fans.

 

lol That F16 shirt was so idiotic, I actually laughed when he pulled his shirt up to show it. How can someone be that ridiculous? I guess for some Saudis their source of pride is bought American hardware rofl

Man that picture of SS-PP flags tied together gave me goosebumps. So proud to see that. When it comes to playing against arab teams (or any foregin team for that matter), there should be absolutely no division amongs Iranian fans!!
Dame Esteghlal garm! Viva SS, PP and Sepahan!! (our three representatives)

 

The Saudi F-16 was in the air for a whole... 30 seconds or so.

 

Thanx for the clip. Great win and congrats to SS fans and all Iranians.

Borhani showed some class in his assist to Khosrow and then his goal. Looks to me he's maturing finally.