2018 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs
The 2018 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs were played from 16 to 30 January 2018.[1] A total of 22 teams competed in the qualifying play-offs to decide eight of the 32 places in the group stage of the 2018 AFC Champions League.[2]
Teams
The following 22 teams, split into two regions (West Region and East Region), entered the qualifying play-offs, consisting of three rounds:
- 4 teams entered in the preliminary round 1.
- 6 teams entered in the preliminary round 2.
- 12 teams entered in the play-off round.
Region | Teams entering in play-off round | Teams entering in preliminary round 2 | Teams entering in preliminary round 1 |
---|---|---|---|
West Region | |||
East Region |
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|
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Format
In the qualifying play-offs, each tie was played as a single match. Extra time and penalty shoot-out were used to decide the winner if necessary (Regulations Article 9.2). The eight winners of the play-off round advanced to the group stage to join the 24 direct entrants. All losers in each round from associations with only play-off slots entered the AFC Cup group stage.[2]
Schedule
The schedule of each round was as follows.[1]
Round | Match date |
---|---|
Preliminary round 1 | 16 January 2018 |
Preliminary round 2 | 23 January 2018 |
Play-off round | 30 January 2018 |
Bracket
The bracket of the qualifying play-offs for each region was determined by the AFC based on the association ranking of each team, with the team from the higher-ranked association hosting the match. Teams from the same association could not be placed into the same play-off.[3]
Play-off West 3
Al-Gharafa advanced to Group A.
Preliminary round 1 | Preliminary round 2 | Play-off round | |||||||||||
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2 | ||||||||||||
![]() |
1 | ||||||||||||
Play-off West 4
Nasaf Qarshi advanced to Group C.
Preliminary round 1 | Preliminary round 2 | Play-off round | |||||||||||
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5 | ||||||||||||
![]() |
1 | ||||||||||||
Play-off East 1
Suwon Samsung Bluewings advanced to Group H.
Preliminary round 1 | Preliminary round 2 | Play-off round | |||||||||||
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5 | ||||||||||||
![]() |
1 | ||||||||||||
![]() |
2 | ||||||||||||
![]() |
4 | ||||||||||||
Play-off East 2
Kashiwa Reysol advanced to Group E.
Preliminary round 1 | Preliminary round 2 | Play-off round | |||||||||||
![]() |
3 | ||||||||||||
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0 | ||||||||||||
![]() |
5 | ||||||||||||
![]() |
2 | ||||||||||||
Play-off East 3
Shanghai SIPG advanced to Group F.
Preliminary round 1 | Preliminary round 2 | Play-off round | |||||||||||
![]() |
1 | ||||||||||||
![]() |
0 | ||||||||||||
![]() |
2 | ||||||||||||
![]() |
3 | ![]() |
1 | ||||||||||
![]() |
1 | ||||||||||||
Play-off East 4
Tianjin Quanjian advanced to Group E.
Preliminary round 1 | Preliminary round 2 | Play-off round | |||||||||||
![]() |
2 | ||||||||||||
![]() |
0 | ||||||||||||
![]() |
2 | ||||||||||||
![]() |
1 (3) | ![]() |
3 | ||||||||||
![]() |
1 (4) | ||||||||||||
Preliminary round 1
Summary
A total of four teams played in the preliminary round 1.
Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
---|---|---|
Bali United ![]() |
3–1 | ![]() |
Shan United ![]() |
1–1 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p) |
![]() |
East Region
Bali United ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Live Report Stats Report |
|
Shan United ![]() | 1–1 (a.e.t.) | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Live Report Stats Report |
|
Penalties | ||
|
3–4 |
Preliminary round 2
Summary
A total of eight teams played in the preliminary round 2: six teams which entered in this round, and two winners of the preliminary round 1.
Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
---|---|---|
Eastern ![]() |
2–4 | ![]() |
Muangthong United ![]() |
5–2 | ![]() |
Chiangrai United ![]() |
2–1 (a.e.t.) | ![]() |
Brisbane Roar ![]() |
2–3 | ![]() |
East Region
Eastern ![]() | 2–4 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Live Report Stats Report |
Muangthong United ![]() | 5–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Live Report Stats Report |
|
Brisbane Roar ![]() | 2–3 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Live Report Stats Report |
Play-off round
Summary
A total of 16 teams played in the play-off round: twelve teams which entered in this round, and four winners of the preliminary round 2.
Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
---|---|---|
Al-Ain ![]() |
2–0 | ![]() |
Zob Ahan ![]() |
3–1 | ![]() |
Al-Gharafa ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Nasaf Qarshi ![]() |
5–1 | ![]() |
Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
---|---|---|
Suwon Samsung Bluewings ![]() |
5–1 | ![]() |
Kashiwa Reysol ![]() |
3–0 | ![]() |
Shanghai SIPG ![]() |
1–0 | ![]() |
Tianjin Quanjian ![]() |
2–0 | ![]() |
West Region
Zob Ahan ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Live Report Stats Report |
|
Al-Gharafa ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Live Report Stats Report |
|
Nasaf Qarshi ![]() | 5–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Live Report Stats Report |
|
East Region
Suwon Samsung Bluewings ![]() | 5–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Live Report Stats Report |
|
Tianjin Quanjian ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
|
Live Report Stats Report |
Notes
- The identity of the play-off teams from Japan and Philippines was not known at the time of the group stage draw.
- The kick-off of the Bali United v Tampines Rovers match was delayed from 19:30 to 20:30 local time due to bad weather.
References
- "AFC Competitions Calendar 2018". AFC. 11 January 2018.
- "2018 AFC Champions League Competition Regulations" (PDF). AFC.
- "AFC Champions League 2018 draw concluded". AFC. 6 December 2017.
External links
- AFC Champions League, the-AFC.com
- AFC Champions League 2018, stats.the-AFC.com