The 2012 Asian Champions League season is just on a month away and we are at the business end of the play-offs. These are the games coming up over the course of February that will determine the final places for the 2012 Group Stage.

The draw for the Group Stage of the 2012 AFC Champions League took place at AFC House on Tuesday, yesterday evening Australian time, with Asia’s premier club tournament set to set new standards next year thanks to a boost in prize money and a burgeoning interest from fans and media.

Nadir Belhadj converted the winning penalty as Al Sadd lifted the 2011 AFC Champions League trophy following a dramatic final with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in Korea.
The final was played in front of over 41,000 spectators in Korea with Al Sadd scoring a victory only after extra time was over and penalties where the deciding factor.
Jeonbuk had the first attempt to get into the lead just minutes into the game when Eninho sent through a dipping shot from over 30 meters out only to be stopped by man of the match …

Congratulations to Al Sadd for winning the 2011 AFC Asian Champions League.
After leading 2 – 1 in the second half of regular time, Jeonbuk equalised with minutes remaining. Extra time was dominated by Jeonbuk who had many chances including hits to the woodwork. However Al Sadd keeper played a great final and was outstanding during the penalty shout out which Al Sadd won 4 – 2.
Congratulations Al Sadd once again.

LIVE! – Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors V Al Sadd 2 – 2 (120′ FT)
Penalties: 2 – 4
Al Sadd 2011 AFC Champions League Champions
Yes, it is finally here. The 2011 AFC Asian Champions League Final will be played this Saturday evening 5 November 2011 in Korea, between the two best teams this season in Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Al Sadd. The game kicks off 7pm Korean time.
JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS (KOR) V AL SADD (QAT) (9PM AEST)

Round Two (Return Leg)
FT – Jeonbuk Motors (Korea Republic) v Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) (2 – 1) (5 – 3 Aggregate)
FT – Al Sadd (Qatar) v Suwon Bluewings (Korea Republic) (0 – 1) (2 – 1 Aggregate)
Round One of the AFC Semi Finals
Suwon Bluewings (Korea Republic) v Al Sadd (Qatar) (0 – 2) (FT)
Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) v Jeonbuk Motors (Korea Republic) (2 – 3) (FT)

LIVE! – QF1 – JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS (KOR) – CEREZO OSAKA (JPN) (6 – 1) (FT) Aggregate (9 – 5)
LIVE! – QF2 – FC SEOUL (KOR)-AL ITTIHAD (KSA) (1 – 0) (FT) Aggregate (2 – 3)
LIVE! – QF3 – AL SADD (QAT)-FOOLAD MOBAREKEH SEPAHAN (IRN) (1 – 2) (FT) Aggregate (4 – 2)
LIVE! – QF4 – ZOBAHAN (IRN)-SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR) (1 – 2) (FT) Aggregate (2 – 3)

QF1 – CEREZO OSAKA (JPN)-JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS (KOR) (4 – 3) (FT)
QF4 – SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR)-ZOBAHAN (IRN) (1 – 1) (FT)
QF2 – AL ITTIHAD (KSA)-FC SEOUL (KOR) (3 – 1) (FT)
QF3 – FOOLAD MOBAREKEH SEPAHAN (IRN)-AL SADD (QAT) (1 – 0) (FT)

Whilst we are still over a month away from round 1 of the 2011 Asian Champions League Quarter Finals, I wanted to review what each of the 8 quarter finalists was up to domestically as we approach the elimination games.
Al Ittihad
Al Ittihad are currently between seasons so we will need to reflect on how they performed during the 2010/11 season which concluded in May. Al Ittihad finished second in the Saudi First Division. First position went to Saudi heavy weights Al Hilal. Al Ittihad finished in second position with 51 …

Whilst we are still over a month away from round 1 of the 2011 Asian Champions League Quarter Finals, I wanted to review what each of the 8 quarter finalists was up to domestically as we approach the elimination games.

The Japanese women’s team arrived at the Narita International Airport to a rapturous welcome as thousands of fans greeted them after being crowned the Queens of the world.
Thousands of joyous, flag-waving fans wearing the team’s dark blue jerseys were present at the airport as the Homare Sawa-led contingent made its way into the terminal.
Two trucks shot out celebratory arches of water over the team’s aircraft as it approached the terminal.
Ayumi Kaihori, Japan’s star goalkeeper in their 3-1 penalty shootout victory over US in the final, was the first to come …

QF1 Cerezo Osaka (JPN) v Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR)
QF2 Al Ittihad (KSA) v FC Seoul (KOR)
QF3 Sepahan (IRN) v Al Sadd (QAT)
QF4 Suwon Samsung Bluewings (KOR) v Zob Ahan (IRN)

Gamba Osaka (Japan) v Cerezo Osaka (Japan) (0 – 1) (FT)
Jeonbuk Motors (Korea Republic) v Tianjin Teda (China) (3- 0) (FT)
Sepahan (Iran) v Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan) (3 – 1) (FT)
Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) v Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) (3 – 1) (FT)
FC Seoul (Korea Republic) v Kashima Antlers (Japan) (3 – 0) (FT)
Suwon Bluewings (Korea Republic) v Nagoya Grampus (Japan) (2 – 0) (FT)
Al Sadd (Qatar) v Al Shabab (Saudi Arabia) Sheik (1 – 0) (FT)
Zob Ahan (Iran) v Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia) (4 – 1) (FT)

May 24

Sepahan (Iran) vs Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan)
Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) vs Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Gamba Osaka (Japan) vs Cerezo Osaka (Japan)
Jeonbuk Motors (Korea Republic) vs Tianjin Teda (China)

May 25

Al Sadd (Qatar) vs Al Shabab (Saudi Arabia)
Zob Ahan (Iran) vs Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia)
FC Seoul (Korea Republic) vs Kashima Antlers (Japan)
Suwon Bluewings (Korea Republic) vs Nagoya Grampus (Japan)

FT – HANGZHOU GREENTOWN (CHN) v FC SEOUL (KOR) (1 – 1)
FT – PAKHTAKOR (UZB) v AL SADD (QAT) (1 – 1)
FT – GAMBA OSAKA (JPN) v TIANJIN TEDA (CHN) (2 – 0)
FT – JEJU UNITED (KOR) v MELB VICTORY (AUS) (1 – 1)
FT – AL AIN (UAE) v NAGOYA GRAMPUS (JPN) (3 – 1)
FT – AL JAZIRA (UAE) v SEPAHAN (IRN) (1 – 4)
FT – AL HILAL (KSA) v AL GHARAFA (QAT) (2 – 0)
FT – ESTEGHLAL (IRN) v AL NASSR (KSA) (2 – 1)

FT – SHANGHAI SHENHUA (CHN) v SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR) (0 – 3)
FT – CEREZO OSAKA (JPN) v SHANDONG LUNENG FC (CHN) (4 – 0)
FT – JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS (KOR) v AREMA MALANG (IDN) (6 – 0)
FT – KASHIMA ANTLERS (JPN) v SYDNEY FC (AUS) (2 – 1)
FT – AL WAHDA (UAE) v PIROOZI ATHLETIC (IRN) (2 – 0)
FT – AL ITTIHAD (KSA) v BUNYODKOR (UZB) (1 – 1)
FT – AL RAYYAN (QAT) v EMIRATES (UAE) (2 – 0)
FT – ZOBAHAN (IRN) v AL SHABAB (KSA) (0 – 1)

AL GHARAFA (QAT) v AL JAZIRA (UAE) (5 – 2) (FT)
SEPAHAN (IRN) v AL HILAL (KSA) (1 – 1) (FT)
AL NASSR (KSA) v PAKHTAKOR (UZB) (4 – 0) (FT)
TIANJIN TEDA (CHN) v JEJU UNITED (KOR)(3-0) (FT)
NAGOYA GRAMPUS (JPN) v HANGZHOU GREENTOWN (CHN) (1 – 0) (FT)
PIROOZI ATHLETIC (IRN) v AL ITTIHAD (KSA) (3 – 2) (FT)
BUNYODKOR (UZB) v AL WAHDA (UAE) (3 – 2) (FT)
SHANDONG LUNENG FC (CHN) v JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS (KOR) (1 – 2) (FT)
SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR) v SYDNEY FC (AUS) (3 – 1) (FT)
AREMA MALANG (IDN) …

FT – MELB VICTORY (AUS) v TIANJIN TEDA (CHN) (2 – 1)
FT – GAMBA OSAKA (JPN) v JEJU UNITED (KOR) (3 – 1)
FT – JEONBUK HYD MOTORS (KOR) v CEREZO OSAKA (JPN) (1 – 0)
FT – SHANDONG LNG FC (CHN) v AREMA MALANG (IDN) (5 – 0)

FT – AL GHARAFA (QAT) v SEPAHAN (IRN) (1 – 0)
FT – AL JAZIRA (UAE) v AL HILAL (KSA) (2 – 3)
FT – PIROOZI ATHLETIC (IRN) v BUNYODKOR (UZB) (1 – 3)
FT – AL ITTIHAD (KSA) v AL WAHDA (UAE) (0 – 0)

FT – AL NASSR (KSA) v AL SADD (QAT) (1- 1)
FT – FC SEOUL (KOR) v NAGOYA GRAMPUS (JPN) (0 – 2)
FT – SHANGHAI SHENHUA (CHN) v SYDNEY FC (AUS) (2 – 3)
FT – KASHIMA ANTLERS (JPN) v SUWON BLUEWINGS (KOR) (1 -1)
FT – AL AIN (UAE) v HANGZHOU GREETN (CHN) (1 – 0)
FT – EMIRATES (UAE) v AL SHABAB (KSA) (2 – 1)
FT – ZOBAHAN (IRN) v AL RAYYAN (QAT) (1- 0)
FT – PAKHTAKOR (UZB) v ESTEGHLAL (IRN) (2 – 1)

Sydney FC v Kashima Antlers – Live Score (0 – 3)(FT)
Sydney FC’s prospects of making the AFC Asian Champions League knockout phase have nosedived after crashing to a 3-0 loss to Japanese side Kashima Antlers at the Sydney Football Stadium on Wednesday night.
It was Sydney’s first home loss in an ACL game and left it in a parlous position with all three of its remaining games offshore.
Kashima joined Korean side Suwon on five points in the four-team group, with Sydney and China’s Shanghai Shenhua both three points further back at …

ESTEGHLAL (IRN) v PAKHTAKOR (UZB) (4 – 2) (FT)
HANGZHOU GREENTOWN (CHN) v AL AIN (UAE) (0 -0) (FT)
SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR) v KASHIMA ANTLERS (JPN) (1 – 1) (FT)
NAGOYA GRAMPUS (JPN) v FC SEOUL (KOR) (1 -1) FT)
SYDNEY FC (AUS) v SHANGHAI SHENHUA (CHN) (1-1) (FT)
AL RAYYAN (QAT) v ZOBAHAN (IRN) (1 – 3) (FT)
AL SHABAB (KSA) v EMIRATES (UAE) (4 – 1) (FT)

BUNYODKOR (UZB) v PIROOZI ATHLETIC (IRN) (0 – 0) (FT)
TIANJIN TEDA (CHN) v MELBOURNE VICTORY (AUS) (1 – 1) (FT)
JEJU UNITED (KOR) v GAMBA OSAKA (JPN) (2 – 1) (FT)
AREMA MALANG (IDN) v SHANDONG LUNENG FC (CHN) (1- 1) (FT)
CEREZO OSAKA (JPN) v JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS (KOR) (1 – 0) (FT’)
SEPAHAN (IRN) v AL GHARAFA (QAT) (2 – 0) (FT)
AL HILAL (KSA) v AL JAZIRA (UAE) (3 – 1) (FT)
AL SADD (QAT) v AL NASSR (KSA) (1 – 0) (FT)
AL WAHDA (UAE) v AL ITTIHAD (KSA) (0 – 3) (FT)

FT – BUNYODKOR (UZB) v AL ITTIHAD (KSA) (0 – 1)
FT – SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR) v SHANGHAI SHENHUA (CHN) (4 – 0)

FT – SHANDONG LUNENG FC (CHN) v CEREZO OSAKA (JPN) (2 – 0)
FT – AREMA MALANG (IDN) v JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS (KOR) (0 – 4)
FT – FC SEOUL (KOR) v HANGZHOU GREENTOWN (CHN) (3 -0)
FT – TIANJIN TEDA (CHN) v GAMBA OSAKA (JPN) (2 – 1)
FT – MELBOURNE VICTORY (AUS) v JEJU UNITED (KOR) (1 – 2)
FT – AL GHARAFA (QAT) v AL HILAL (KSA) (0 – 1)
FT – SEPAHAN (IRN) v AL JAZIRA (UAE) (5 – 1)
FT – AL NASSR (KSA) v ESTEGHLAL (IRN) (2 – 1)

FT – AL SADD (QAT) v PAKHTAKOR (UZB) (2 – 1)

FT – PIROOZI ATHLETIC (IRN) v AL WAHDA (UAE) (1 – 1)
FT – EMIRATES (UAE) v AL RAYYAN (QAT) (2 – 0 )
FT – AL SHABAB (KSA) v ZOBAHAN (IRN) (0 – 0)
KASHIMA ANTLERS (JPN) v SYDNEY FC (AUS) (Postponed)
NAGOYA GRAMPUS (JPN) v AL AIN (UAE) (Postponed)