Why the revamped AFC Cup format is a raw deal for India http://footballnewsindia.in/why-the-revamped-afc-cup-format-is-a-raw-deal-for-india/
sure, with this format, 99% India will have a team in quarterfinals.... and maybe in semifinal (100% if will met the winner of Eastern Group). But this format can have a bad position ... because only ONE can be in quarterfinals in previous format , Bengaluru + East Bengal/Mohun Bagan can qualified togheter in quarterfinals .... now, only one.
Having read the article posted by Clash81, the writer has a good point about this asymmetrical system that I didn't come to think of: Do the extra matches (and extra clubs playing these matches) played by West Asian and Southeast Asian clubs have influence on AFC ranking points? I think this was the main concern of the writer Guru Pasad, in my opinion otherwise very clearly the biggest winners of this system are India and North Korea both getting a group they are almost guaranteed to win. I can't understand the critique: 1)when out of Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Philippines, Laos, Cambodia only ONE club altogether can be in quarterfinals(=Interzone semifinals) every singe club being tougher than opponents India have to face to win the South Asian group 2)there has never been 2 clubs in quarter final from India (in same year) in the history of AFC Cup in any format anyway
Don't take it like a chritique. Better, is an attention point. For me, India is one of the top countries in AFC Cup (Bengaluru, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, almost every year). And this new format, will diminuate international matches for indian clubs in Asia (because in past, 2 indian clubs played 12 games in groups stage against Asia, now will play only 4, each with same teams, because 2 will be against local rival). Yes, this format probably will help India to reach every year a semifinal (until AFC will realise that made a mistake with this format). I don't agree this format, not for AFC Cup, not for AFC Champions League (with 16 west, 16 east). Definitelly, must be played regional groups due of size of Asia, but not so. Teams like Johor or Ha Noi to be in quarterfinals against April 25 ?!?!?! AFC must keep MA ranking GENERAL, and then to divide the groups by regions how much can. So, the ranking for coefficients will be much precise. * sorry for my english
Are you sure April 25 is a weak club? They haven't participated for a long time but I think it is entirely possible they are better than any Indian club (excluding India Super League clubs who have many million player budget and field 6 foreign players). East Asian Group would be quite competitive if the Hong Kong clubs weren't transferred to AFC Champions League until 2019. My wild guess is that April 25 is a K-League Classic level but without foreign players so I wouldn't say Bengaluru would 100 % advance if they meet in the quarterfinals.
Couple of things here. MA rankings are not accrued for the prelim and play-off matches. Means, 4 matches that Mohun Bagan will play before entering the group stage is of no value. As per the earlier format where teams from India were part of different groups, we had a much better chance to progress to the knock out rounds of the cup, however this format restricts that.
Preliminary rounds will be played in home-away format. ASEAN and West group stage dates: 20 February till 3 May East, Center, South dates: 14 March till 31 May That's strange. I would understand if there was earlier start for ASEAN teams as they have more matches than others, but I don't understand why is this scheduled this way - ASEAN and West play their third matchday same week when others start their group stage campaign.
http://www.macaodaily.com/html/2017-01/12/content_1150122.htm Macao Daily reports that Benfica de Macao was supposed to be granted a slot in the expanded AFC Cup group stage, but the Macau FA missed the application deadline... so Benfica de Macao is missing out. What a bummer. You would have thought after such a good performance in the AFC Solidarity Cup, the Macau FA will be more focused and motivated. Apparently they are a shambles as usual.
I think both teams from A2.1 playoff tie that was supposed to give fourth team to Lanexang's group (Phnom Phen Crown vs Home United) will get direct group stage berths. Especially if Lao league is falling apart like this dramatic post on Facebook suggests. I am still waiting for North Koreans to pull out.
aha, maybe this will made AFC staff to think again about this shit format ))) this change is one big step behind ...
There are two North Korean clubs in the same group currently. I really don't understand how this thing works. Now that Lanexang United pull out, maybe the AFC should consider revising the whole thing, while they are at it, give a slot to Benfica de Macau!!!
this will not happening because are in different zones. And Macau not submit any club (this is the reason on "wikipedia" due of the Macau have no club in AFC Cup this season). If Lanexang United will be out, probably second Singapore club (Home United) will receive this spot, because is the best ranked from play off, and the rest 3 clubs must fight for last one. Is only a supossition
Have Chinese Taipei clubs now withdrawn? On the AFC Cup page, Group I just have 3 teams - the 2 from North Korea and Erchim! No fixtures listed for East Zone in the preliminary tab
Quoted from Wiki, but no source: East Asia Zone (EAZ): Rovers (Guam) withdrew from the AFC Cup group stage after the draw, and thus Kigwancha (North Korea) advanced directly from the play-off round to the group stage to replace them, and Tatung (Chinese Taipei) and Erchim (Mongolia) advanced directly from the preliminary round to the play-off round. Later, Taiwan Power Company and Tatung (both Chinese Taipei) withdrew from the AFC group stage and qualifying play-off respectively after the draw, and thus Erchim (Mongolia) advanced directly from the play-off round to the group stage to replace them, and only three teams would compete in the East Asia Zone group stage.
Put Jeonbuk in Group I of AFC Cup as a punishment for bribing referees. Nobody else seem to want to play with North Korean clubs .. if Jeonbuk refuse to play AFC Cup, ban for extra year. Or maybe ask Vietnamese standby club Hai Phong to participate? They are almost East Asia anyway and because Ha Noi were knocked out they couldn't participate otherwise.
Football's road to recognition in war-torn Afghanistan Shaheen Asmayee will become the first Afghan club at an AFC event, but life was not simple for the players growing up. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/fe...ion-war-torn-afghanistan-170126103232669.html
Sweet Lord. So, there are teams willing to play as they will play in preliminaries, but AFC will stick with unconventional and funny three-team groups. They expanded the competition to give more teams opportunity, some teams gave up, others won't get chance to replace them. Way to go!
West Zone AFC Cup Play-off First Leg Date: January 30, 2017 Fixture: Shabab Al Khalil v Al Suwaiq Venue: Dura Stadium, Hebron Second Leg: February 6, 2017 ASEAN Zone AFC Cup Play-off First Legs Date: January 30, 2017 Fixture: Phnom Penh Crown v Home United Venue: RSN Stadium, Phnom Penh Second Leg: February 7, 2017 Date: January 31, 2017 Fixture: Boeungket Angkor FC v Lao Toyota FC Venue: National Olympic Stadium , Phnom Penh Second Leg: February 7, 2017 http://www.the-afc.com/afc-cup-2017/west-and-asean-zone-sides-set-to-get-afc-cup-play-offs-underway