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{{Short description|34th edition of premier club football tournament organized by the AFC}}

factoids

Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C.>Guangzhou Evergrande}}| count = 2UAE}} Al-Ahli| matches = 126| goals = 334| attendance = {{#expr: + 15350 + 23664 + 21285 + 3840 + 9820 + 20315 + 100000 + 3188 + 3153 + 4877 + 40915 + 100000 + 4913 + 15426 + 3300 + 5404 + 8675 + 1560 + 6872 + 5035 + 1840 + 1977 + 3638 + 4299 + 37843 + 17440 + 7456 + 6843 + 37452 + 4100 + 3852 + 20087 + 3974 + 3455 + 2142 + 9394 + 11160 + 7200 + 25830 + 19855 + 3121 + 45482 + 32500 + 15500 + 15000 + 15842 + 3540 + 16000 + 13422 + 8913 + 27386 + 5694 + 7657 + 6704 + 21631 + 4000 + 7424 + 12566 + 11131 + 4600 + 8848 + 8959 + 7813 + 9308 + 8638 + 6469 + 5777 + 23987 + 3762 + 8647 + 12821 + 17331 + 6851 + 13846 + 13527 + 35567 + 38355 + 5197 + 13683 + 6771 + 13924 + 35578 + 5941 + 14380 + 7736 + 46749 + 11418 + 5790 + 5645 + 48651 + 7073 + 7033 + 5221 + 17157 + 35641 + 19233 + 12409 + 6164 + 100000 + 4682 + 13792 + 10607 + 13370 + 8900 + 9142 + 43526 + 4241 + 23590 + 9597 + 48761 + 14270 + 35488 + 14030 + 1190 + 23633 + 23300 + 48643 + 5439 + 9284 + 9353 + 53268 + 48946 + 9800 + 17310 + 9480 + 42499}}BRA}} Ricardo Goulart {{nowrap|(8 goals)}}BRA}} Ricardo Goulart2014 AFC Champions League>20142016 AFC Champions League>2016}}The 2015 AFC Champions League was the 34th edition of Asia’s premier club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the 13th under the current AFC Champions League title.Guangzhou Evergrande won the tournament after defeating Al-Ahli in the final. Guangzhou also qualified for the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup.WEB,www.the-afc.com/uploads/afc/files/acl_2015_competition_regulations_final.pdf, AFC Champions League 2015 Competition Regulations, AFC, Western Sydney Wanderers were the defending champions, but they were eliminated in the group stage.

Association team allocation

The AFC Competitions Committee proposed a revamp of the AFC club competitions on 25 January 2014,WEB,www.the-afc.com/competitions-division/revamp-of-afc-competitions, Revamp of AFC competitions, AFC, 25 January 2014, which was ratified by the AFC Executive Committee on 16 April 2014.WEB,www.the-afc.com/executive-committee/exco-approves-expanded-afc-asian-cup-finals, ExCo approves expanded AFC Asian Cup finals, AFC, 16 April 2014, The member associations are ranked based on their national team’s and clubs’ performance over the last four years in AFC competitions, with the allocation of slots for the 2015 and 2016 editions of the AFC club competitions determined by the 2014 rankings:WEB,www.the-afc.com/uploads/afc/files/rankings/afc_ma_rankings_03_11_2014.pdf, AFC MA Ranking as at 3 November 2014, AFC,

• The top 24 member associations (MAs) as per the AFC rankings are eligible to receive direct slots in the AFC Champions League, as long as they fulfill the AFC Champions League criteria.
• In both the East and West zones, there are a total of 12 direct slots in the group stage, with the 4 remaining slots filled through play-offs.
• The top six MAs in both the East and West zones get direct slots in the group stage, while the remaining MAs get play-off slots:
  • The first- and second-ranked MAs each get three direct slots and one play-off slot.
  • The third- and fourth-ranked MAs each get two direct slots and two play-off slots.
  • The fifth-ranked MAs each get one direct slot and two play-off slots.
  • The sixth-ranked MAs each get one direct slot and one play-off slot.
  • The seventh- to twelfth-ranked MAs each get one play-off slot.
• The maximum number of slots for each MA is one-third of the total number of clubs in the top division (e.g., Australia can only get a maximum of three total slots as there are only nine Australia-based clubs in the A-League).

The AFC Competitions Committee finalised the slot allocation for the 2015 and 2016 editions of the AFC Champions League based on the criteria, including AFC’s MA rankings and the implementation of club licensing regulations, on 28 November 2014.WEB,www.the-afc.com/standing-committee/afc-competitions-committee-meeting, AFC Competitions Committee meeting, AFC, 28 November 2014, WEB,www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2014/afc-champions-league-slots-allocated-for-2015-2016, AFC Champions League slots allocated for 2015-2016, AFC, 4 December 2014, WEB,www.the-afc.com/uploads/afc/files/slot_allocation_for_ACL_2015.pdf, Slot allocation for ACL 2015 - 2016, AFC, {| cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 border=1 style="font-size:95%; border:gray solid 1px; border-collapse:collapse”!bgcolor=#f7f8ff colspan=2|Participation for 2015 AFC Champions League|Fulfills participation criteria|Does not fulfill participation criteria{{col-begin}}{{col-2}}{| class=“wikitable” style="text-align:center”|+West Zone!colspan=2 rowspan=2|Rank!rowspan=3 width=200|MemberAssociation!rowspan=3|Points!colspan=3|Slots!rowspan=2|Groupstage!colspan=3|Play-off!Zone!All!{{small|{{nowrap|Play-off}}round}}!{{small|Prelim.{{nowrap|round 2}}}}bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconSaudi Arabian Football Federation>Saudi Arabia88.268310bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconFootball Federation Islamic Republic of Iran>Iran80.794310bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconUzbekistan Football Federation>Uzbekistan62.272310bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconUnited Arab Emirates Football Association>United Arab Emirates57.792220bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconQatar Football Association>Qatar56.103102bgcolor=#ffcccc{{flagiconIraq Football Association>Iraq{{Cref21}}47.106000bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconKuwait Football Association>Kuwait45.423001bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconJordan Football Association>Jordan44.309001bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconOman Football Association>Oman30.586001bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconBahrain Football Association>Bahrain25.547001bgcolor=#ffcccc{{flagiconLebanon Football Association>Lebanon{{Cref22}}25.043000bgcolor=#ffcccc{{flagiconSyrian Arab Federation for Football>Syria{{Cref23}}22.883000!colspan=4 rowspan=2|Total!rowspan=2|12!!5!!6!colspan=3|11{{col-2}}{| class=“wikitable” style="text-align:center”|+East Zone!colspan=2 rowspan=2|Rank!rowspan=3 width=200|MemberAssociation!rowspan=3|Points!colspan=4|Slots!rowspan=2|Groupstage!colspan=3|Play-off!Zone!All!{{small|{{nowrap|Play-off}}round}}!{{small|Prelim.{{nowrap|round 2}}}}!{{small|Prelim.{{nowrap|round 1}}}}bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconKorea Football Association>South Korea94.8663100bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconJapan Football Association>Japan77.1073100bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconFootball Federation Australia>Australia57.9402100bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconChinese Football Association>China57.6602110bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconFootball Association of Thailand>Thailand33.0491020bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconVietnam Football Federation>Vietnam27.7531010bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconFootball Association of Indonesia>Indonesia25.0040010bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconHong Kong Football Association>Hong Kong20.0770010bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconMyanmar Football Federation>Myanmar18.9490001bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconFootball Association of Malaysia>Malaysia18.1530001bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconAll India Football Federation>India16.7560001bgcolor=#90ee77{{flagiconFootball Association of Singapore>Singapore16.0970001!colspan=4 rowspan=2|Total!rowspan=2|12!!4!!6!!4!colspan=3|14{{col-end}}

Notes

{{Cnote2 Begin}}{{Cnote2|A|n=3|Iraq (2 play-off slots), Lebanon and Syria (1 play-off slot each) were allocated slots for the 2015 and 2016 AFC Champions League, but were not allowed to participate in the 2015 AFC Champions League as none of their teams passed the club licensing requirements for 2015.}}{{Cnote2 End}}

Teams

The following 49 teams from 21 associations entered the competition.WEB,www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2014/afc-champions-league-2015-the-contenders, AFC Champions League 2015: The contenders...., AFC, 10 December 2014, In the following table, the number of appearances and last appearance count only those since the 2002–03 season (including qualifying rounds), when the competition was rebranded as the AFC Champions League. TH means title holders.{{col-begin}}{{col-2}}{| class=“wikitable”|+West Zone!Team!Qualifying method!App!Last App!colspan=4|Group stage direct entrants (Groups A–D)KSA}} Al-Nassr|2013–14 Saudi Professional League champions|2nd2011 AFC Champions League>2011KSA}} Al-Shabab|2014 King Cup of Champions winners|9th2014 AFC Champions League>2014KSA}} Al-Hilal|2013–14 Saudi Professional League runners-up|11th2014 AFC Champions League>2014IRN}} Foolad|2013–14 Iran Pro League champions|3rd2014 AFC Champions League>2014IRN}} Tractor|2013–14 Hazfi Cup winners|3rd2014 AFC Champions League>2014IRN}} Persepolis|2013–14 Iran Pro League runners-up|5th2012 AFC Champions League>2012UZB}} Pakhtakor|2014 Uzbek League champions|12th2013 AFC Champions League>2013{{flagiconLokomotiv Tashkent FK>Lokomotiv Tashkent}}|2014 Uzbekistan Cup winners2014 Uzbek League runners-up|3rd2014 AFC Champions League>2014UZB}} Nasaf Qarshi|2014 Uzbek League 3rd place|3rd2014 AFC Champions League>2014UAE}} Al-Ahli|2013–14 Arabian Gulf League champions|6th2014 AFC Champions League>2014UAE}} Al-Ain|2013–14 UAE President’s Cup winners|10th2014 AFC Champions League>2014QAT}} Lekhwiya|2013–14 Qatar Stars League champions|4th2014 AFC Champions League>2014!colspan=4|Qualifying play-off participants!colspan=4|Entering in play-off roundKSA}} Al-Ahli|2013–14 Saudi Professional League 3rd place|7th2013 AFC Champions League>2013IRN}} Naft Tehran|2013–14 Iran Pro League 3rd place|1st|noneUZB}} Bunyodkor|2014 Uzbek League 4th place|8th2014 AFC Champions League>2014UAE}} Al-Wahda|2013–14 Arabian Gulf League runners-up|7th2011 AFC Champions League>2011UAE}} Al-Jazira|2013–14 Arabian Gulf League 3rd place|7th2014 AFC Champions League>2014!colspan=4|Entering in preliminary round 2QAT}} Al-Sadd|2014 Emir of Qatar Cup winners|10th2014 AFC Champions League>2014QAT}} El Jaish|2013–14 Qatar Stars League runners-up|3rd2014 AFC Champions League>2014KUW}} Al-Qadsia|2013–14 Kuwaiti Premier League champions|5th2014 AFC Champions League>2014JOR}} Al-Wehdat|2013–14 Jordan League champions|2nd2002–03 AFC Champions League>2002–03OMA}} Al-Nahda|2013–14 Oman Professional League champions|1st|noneBHR}} Riffa|2013–14 Bahrain First Division League champions|3rd2004 AFC Champions League>2004{{col-2}}{| class=“wikitable”|+East Zone!Team!Qualifying method!App!Last App!colspan=4|Group stage direct entrants (Groups E–H)KOR}} Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors|2014 K League Classic champions|9th2014 AFC Champions League>2014KOR}} Seongnam FC|2014 Korean FA Cup winners|6th2012 AFC Champions League>2012KOR}} Suwon Samsung Bluewings|2014 K League Classic runners-up|6th2013 AFC Champions League>2013JPN}} Gamba Osaka|2014 J.League Division 1 champions and 2014 Emperor’s Cup winners|7th2012 AFC Champions League>2012JPN}} Urawa Red Diamonds|2014 J.League Division 1 runners-up|4th2013 AFC Champions League>2013JPN}} Kashima Antlers|2014 J.League Division 1 3rd place|6th2011 AFC Champions League>2011AUS}} Brisbane Roar2013–14 A-League#Regular season>2013–14 A-League and 2014 A-League Grand Final winners|3rd2013 AFC Champions League>2013AUS}} Western Sydney Wanderers FC2014 AFC Champions League>TH2013–14 A-League#Regular season>2013–14 A-League regular season runners-up|2nd2014 AFC Champions League>2014CHN}} Guangzhou Evergrande|2014 Chinese Super League champions|4th2014 AFC Champions League>2014{{flagiconShandong Luneng Taishan F.C.>Shandong Luneng Taishan}}|2014 Chinese FA Cup winners|7th2014 AFC Champions League>2014THA}} Buriram United|2014 Thai Premier League champions|5th2014 AFC Champions League>2014VIE}} Becamex Bình DÆ°Æ¡ng|2014 V.League 1 champions|2nd2008 AFC Champions League>2008!colspan=4|Qualifying play-off participants!colspan=4|Entering in play-off roundKOR}} FC Seoul|2014 K League Classic 3rd place|5th2014 AFC Champions League>2014JPN}} Kashiwa Reysol|2014 J.League Division 1 4th place|3rd2013 AFC Champions League>2013AUS}} Central Coast Mariners2013–14 A-League#Regular season>2013–14 A-League regular season 3rd place|5th2014 AFC Champions League>2014CHN}} Beijing Guoan|2014 Chinese Super League runners-up|7th2014 AFC Champions League>2014!colspan=4|Entering in preliminary round 2CHN}} Guangzhou R&F|2014 Chinese Super League 3rd place|1st|noneTHA}} Bangkok Glass|2014 Thai FA Cup winners|1st|noneTHA}} Chonburi|2014 Thai Premier League runners-up|4th2014 AFC Champions League>2014VIE}} Hà Ná»™i T&T2014 V.League 1 runners-up{{Cref2>Note VIE}}|2nd2014 AFC Champions League>2014IDN}} Persib Bandung|2014 Indonesia Super League champions|1st|noneHKG}} Kitchee|2013–14 Hong Kong First Division League champions|1st|none!colspan=4|Entering in preliminary round 1MYA}} Yadanarbon|2014 Myanmar National League champions|1st|noneMAS}} Johor Darul Ta’zim|2014 Malaysia Super League champions|1st|noneIND}} Bengaluru FC|2013–14 I-League champions|1st|noneSIN}} Warriors|2014 S.League champions|3rd2010 AFC Champions League>2010{{col-end}}

Notes

{{Cnote2 Begin|liststyle=disc}}{{Cnote2|Note VIE|Vietnam (VIE): Hà Nội T&T entered the AFC Champions League instead of Hải Phòng, the 2014 Vietnamese Cup winners, as Hải Phòng did not pass the club licensing requirements.WEB,www.vff.org.vn/vi/tin-tuc-vff-12/chinh-thuc-b-binh-duong-va-ha-noi-t-t-tham-du-afc-champions-league-2015-23746.html, CHÍNH THỨC: B.Bình Dương và Hà Nội T&T tham dự AFC Champions League 2015, Vietnam Football Federation, 30 November 2014, vi, 1 December 2014,www.vff.org.vn/vi/tin-tuc-vff-12/chinh-thuc-b-binh-duong-va-ha-noi-t-t-tham-du-afc-champions-league-2015-23746.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20141205141153www.vff.org.vn/vi/tin-tuc-vff-12/chinh-thuc-b-binh-duong-va-ha-noi-t-t-tham-du-afc-champions-league-2015-23746.html,">web.archive.org/web/20141205141153www.vff.org.vn/vi/tin-tuc-vff-12/chinh-thuc-b-binh-duong-va-ha-noi-t-t-tham-du-afc-champions-league-2015-23746.html, 5 December 2014, dead, }}{{Cnote2 End}}{{Location map+|AFC|width=1000|float=left|caption=Location of teams of the 2015 AFC Champions League.(File:Red pog.svg|8px) West Zone(File:Green pog.svg|8px) East Zone(p) Qualifying play-off participants|places={{Location map~|AFC|lat=24.78842|long=46.839159|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Al-Nassr}}{{nowrap|Al-Shabab}}{{nowrap|Al-Hilal}}|mark=Red pog.svg|position=left}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=21.55029|long=39.139765|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Al-Ahli (p)}}|mark=Red pog.svg|position=bottom}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=31.384179|long=48.635981|label_size=70|label=Foolad|mark=Red pog.svg|position=right}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=38.026847|long=46.296279|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Tractor}}|mark=Red pog.svg|position=right}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=35.724366|long=51.275597|label_size=70|label=Persepolis{{nowrap|Naft Tehran (p)}}|mark=Red pog.svg|position=right}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=41.279806|long=69.212537|label_size=70|label=PakhtakorLokomotiv{{nowrap|Bunyodkor (p)}}|mark=Red pog.svg|position=top}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=38.83830|long=65.81388|label_size=70|label=Nasaf|mark=Red pog.svg|position=top}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=25.279694|long=55.360569|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Al-Ahli}}|mark=Red pog.svg|position=top}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=24.245047|long=55.717067|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Al-Ain}}|mark=Red pog.svg|position=right}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=24.452756|long=54.392109|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Al-Wahda (p)}}{{nowrap|Al-Jazira (p)}}|mark=Red pog.svg|position=bottom}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=25.25|long=51.25|label_size=70|label=Qatar|mark=Red pog.svg|position=bottom}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=10|long=55|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Teams from Qatar:}}Lekhwiya{{nowrap|Al-Sadd (p)}}{{nowrap|El Jaish (p)}}|mark=TransparentPlaceholder.png|position=bottom}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=29.366|long=47.978|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Al-Qadsia (p)}}|mark=Red pog.svg|position=left}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=32.083333|long=36.1|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Al-Wehdat (p)}}|mark=Red pog.svg|position=right}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=24.25|long=55.75|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Al-Nahda (p)}}|mark=Red pog.svg|position=right}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=26.13|long=50.555|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Riffa (p)}}|mark=Red pog.svg|position=top}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=35.868021|long=127.064406|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Jeonbuk HM}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=left}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=37.410127|long=127.121344|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Seongnam FC}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=right}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=37.286278|long=127.036889|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Suwon SB}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=left}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=37.568188|long=126.897197|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|FC Seoul (p)}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=34.614111|long=135.518568|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|G Osaka}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=35.903142|long=139.717492|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Urawa RD}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=35.991744|long=140.640525|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Kashima A}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=right}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=35.8485|long=139.975149|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Kashiwa R (p)}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=bottom}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=-27.464722|long=153.009444|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Brisbane R}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=left}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=-33.808178|long=150.999645|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|WS Wanderers}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=left}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=-33.428334|long=151.338097|label_size=70|label=Central Coast M (p)|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=23.140439|long=113.319297|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Guangzhou E}}{{nowrap|Guangzhou R&F (p)}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=36.656163|long=117.110224|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Shandong LT}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=left}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=39.929517|long=116.441045|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Beijing G (p)}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=left}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=14.994167|long=103.102222|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Buriram U}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=right}}{{location map~|AFC|lat=14.000241|long=100.679351|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Bangkok G (p)}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=left}}{{location map~|AFC|lat=13.364444|long=100.976389|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Chonburi (p)}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=right}}{{location map~|AFC|lat=10.966667|long=106.65|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|B Bình Dương}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=right}}{{location map~|AFC|lat=21.033333|long=105.85|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Hà Nội T&T (p)}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=bottom}}{{location map~|AFC|lat=-6.910536|long=107.619402|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Persib Bandung (p)}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=bottom}}{{location map~|AFC|lat=22.27350|long=114.18815|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Kitchee (p)}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=bottom}}{{location map~|AFC|lat=21.983333|long=96.1|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Yadanarbon (p)}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=bottom}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=1.765589|long=103.639526|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Johor DT (p)}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=12.966666|long=77.566666|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Bengaluru FC (p)}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=right}}{{Location map~|AFC|lat=1.309845|long=103.763015|label_size=70|label={{nowrap|Warriors (p)}}|mark=Green pog.svg|position=right}}}}{{clear}}

Schedule

The schedule of the competition was as follows (all draws were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).WEB,www.the-afc.com/uploads/afc/files/afc_competitions_calendar_2015.pdf, AFC, AFC Calendar of Competitions 2015, {| class=“wikitable” style="text-align:center”!Stage!Round!Draw date!First leg!Second legPreliminary stage|Preliminary round 1No draw4 February 2015|Preliminary round 210 February 2015Play-off stage|Play-off round17 February 2015Group stage|Matchday 111 December 2014HTTP://NEWTR.TV/?P=1385>TITLE=THE OFFICIAL DRAW OF THE AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2015DATE=11 DECEMBER 2014, 24–25 February 2015|Matchday 23–4 March 2015|Matchday 317–18 March 2015|Matchday 47–8 April 2015|Matchday 521–22 April 2015|Matchday 65–6 May 2015Knockout stage|Round of 16|19–20 May 2015|26–27 May 2015|Quarter-finals18 June 2015HTTP://NEWTR.TV/?P=1861>TITLE=THE OFFICIAL DRAW FOR THE AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE & AFC CUP 2015DATE=18 JUNE 2015, |25–26 August 2015|15–16 September 2015|Semi-finals|29–30 September 2015|20–21 October 2015|Final|7 November 2015|21 November 2015

Qualifying play-off

The bracket for the qualifying play-off, which consisted of three rounds (preliminary round 1, preliminary round 2, and play-off round), was determined by the AFC based on the association ranking of each team.WEB,www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2015/afc-champions-league-2015-draw, AFC Champions League 2015 Draw, AFC, 12 December 2014, Each tie was played as a single match, with the team from the higher-ranked association hosting the match. Extra time and penalty shoot-out were used to decide the winner if necessary. The winners of each tie in the play-off round advanced to the group stage to join the 24 automatic qualifiers. All losers in each round which were from associations with only play-off slots entered the 2015 AFC Cup group stage.

Preliminary round 1

{{#lst:2015 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off|Preliminary round 1}}

Preliminary round 2

{{#lst:2015 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off|Preliminary round 2}}

Play-off round

{{#lst:2015 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off|Play-off round}}

Group stage

The draw for the group stage was held on 11 December 2014. The 32 teams were drawn into eight groups of four. Teams from the same association could not be drawn into the same group. Each group was played on a home-and-away round-robin basis. The winners and runners-up of each group advanced to the round of 16.

Tiebreakers

The teams are ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss). If tied on points, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:

1. Greater number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned;
2. Goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned;
3. Greater number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned;
4. Greater number of away goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned;
5. If, after applying criteria 1 to 4, teams still have an equal ranking, criteria 1 to 4 are reapplied exclusively to the matches between the teams in question to determine their final rankings. If this procedure does not lead to a decision, criteria 6 to 10 apply;
6. Goal difference in all the group matches;
7. Greater number of goals scored in all the group matches;
8. Penalty shoot-out if only two teams are involved and they are both on the field of play;
9. Fewer score calculated according to the number of yellow and red cards received in the group matches (1 point for a single yellow card, 3 points for a red card as a consequence of two yellow cards, 3 points for a direct red card, 4 points for a yellow card followed by a direct red card);
10. Team who belongs to the member association with the higher AFC ranking.

Group A

{{:2015 AFC Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group A|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

Group B

{{:2015 AFC Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group B|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

Group C

{{:2015 AFC Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group C|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

Group D

{{:2015 AFC Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group D|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

Group E

{{:2015 AFC Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group E|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

Group F

{{:2015 AFC Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group F|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

Group G

{{:2015 AFC Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group G|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

Group H

{{:2015 AFC Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group H|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

Knockout stage

In the knockout stage, the 16 teams played a single-elimination tournament, with the teams split between the two zones until the final. Each tie was played on a home-and-away two-legged basis. The away goals rule, extra time (away goals do not apply in extra time) and penalty shoot-out were used to decide the winner if necessary.

Bracket

{{#lst:2015 AFC Champions League knockout stage|Bracket}}

Round of 16

In the round of 16, the winners of one group played the runners-up of another group in the same zone, with the group winners hosting the second leg.{{#lst:2015 AFC Champions League knockout stage|Round of 16}}

Quarter-finals

The draw for the quarter-finals was held on 18 June 2015. Teams from different zones could not be drawn into the same tie, and there was no seeding or country protection, so teams from the same association could be drawn into the same tie.WEB,www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2015/al-hilal-to-face-lekhwiya-in-acl-quarter-finals, Al Hilal to face Lekhwiya in ACL quarter-finals, AFC, 18 June 2015, {{#lst:2015 AFC Champions League knockout stage|Quarter-finals}}

Semi-finals

In the semi-finals, the matchups were determined by the quarter-final draw.{{#lst:2015 AFC Champions League knockout stage|Semi-finals}}

Final

In the final, the finalist from the West Zone hosted the first leg, while the finalist from the East Zone hosted the second leg (no draw was held to determine the order of legs, as it was reversed from the previous season’s final).{{#lst:2015 AFC Champions League knockout stage|Final}}“>

Awards{| class“wikitable” style@text-align:center”

!Award!Player!Team!Most Valuable PlayerWEB,www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2015/hotshot-goulart-adds-awards-to-acl-title-success, Hotshot Goulart adds awards to ACL title success, AFC, 22 November 2015, {{flagicon|BRA}} Ricardo Goulart{{flagiconGuangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C.>Guangzhou Evergrande!Top Goalscorer{{flagicon|BRA}} Ricardo Goulart{{flagiconGuangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C.>Guangzhou Evergrande!Fair Play Award|—{{flagiconGuangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C.>Guangzhou Evergrande

Dream team

The AFC selected the following 11 players as 2015 AFC Champions League dream team.WEB,www.facebook.com/theafccl/photos/a.228540597215839.49977.152840578119175/923396944396864/?type=3&theater, ACL2015 Dream Team, AFC Champions League, 23 November 2015, 23 November 2015, {| class=“wikitable” style="text-align:center”!{{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}}!Player!Team!{{Tooltip|GK|Goalkeeper}}{{flagicon|JPN}} Masaaki Higashiguchi{{flagicon|JPN}} Gamba Osaka!rowspan=4|{{Tooltip|DF|Defender}}{{flagicon|CHN}} Zhang Linpeng{{flagiconGuangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C.>Guangzhou Evergrande{{flagicon|KOR}} Kwon Kyung-won{{flagiconAl-Ahli Dubai F.C.>Al-Ahli{{flagicon|KOR}} Kim Young-gwon{{flagiconGuangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C.>Guangzhou Evergrande{{flagicon|KSA}} Yasser Al-Shahrani{{flagiconAl-Hilal FC>Al-Hilal!rowspan=3|{{Tooltip|MF|Midfielder}}{{flagicon|CHN}} Huang Bowen{{flagiconGuangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C.>Guangzhou Evergrande{{flagicon|CHN}} Zheng Zhi{{flagiconGuangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C.>Guangzhou Evergrande{{flagicon|UAE}} Majed Hassan{{flagiconAl-Ahli Dubai F.C.>Al-Ahli!rowspan=3|{{Tooltip|FW|Forward}}{{flagicon|UAE}} Ahmed Khalil{{flagiconAl-Ahli Dubai F.C.>Al-Ahli{{flagicon|BRA}} Elkeson{{flagiconGuangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C.>Guangzhou Evergrande{{flagicon|BRA}} Ricardo Goulart{{flagiconGuangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C.>Guangzhou Evergrande

Top scorers{| class“wikitable” style@text-align:center; font-size:90%”

!Rank!Player!Team!{{Tooltip|MD1|Group stage Matchday 1}}!{{Tooltip|MD2|Group stage Matchday 2}}!{{Tooltip|MD3|Group stage Matchday 3}}!{{Tooltip|MD4|Group stage Matchday 4}}!{{Tooltip|MD5|Group stage Matchday 5}}!{{Tooltip|MD6|Group stage Matchday 6}}!{{Tooltip|2R1|Round of 16 1st leg}}!{{Tooltip|2R2|Round of 16 2nd leg}}!{{Tooltip|QF1|Quarter-finals 1st leg}}!{{Tooltip|QF2|Quarter-finals 2nd leg}}!{{Tooltip|SF1|Semi-finals 1st leg}}!{{Tooltip|SF2|Semi-finals 2nd leg}}!{{Tooltip|F1|Final 1st leg}}!{{Tooltip|F2|Final 2nd leg}}!Total!1{{flagicon|BRA}} Ricardo Goulart{{flagiconGuangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C.>Guangzhou Evergrande|!8!rowspan=2|2{{flagicon|CHN}} Yang Xu{{flagiconShandong Luneng Taishan F.C.>Shandong Luneng Taishan|!6{{flagicon|UAE}} Ahmed Khalil{{flagiconAl-Ahli Dubai F.C.>Al-Ahli|!6!rowspan=3|4{{flagicon|TUN}} Youssef Msakni{{flagiconLekhwiya SC>Lekhwiya|!5{{flagicon|SYR}} Omar Al Soma{{flagiconAl-Ahli SC (Jeddah)>Al-Ahli|!5{{flagicon|GHA}} Asamoah Gyan{{flagiconAl Ain FC>Al-Ain|!5!rowspan=8|7{{flagiconAnderson Patric Aguiar Oliveira>Patric{{flagicon|JPN}} Gamba Osaka|!4{{flagicon|JPN}} Takashi Usami{{flagicon|JPN}} Gamba Osaka|!4{{flagicon|JPN}} Masato Kudo{{flagicon|JPN}} Kashiwa Reysol|!4{{flagicon|KOR}} Lee Dong-gook{{flagiconJeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC>Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors|!4{{flagiconCarlos Eduardo de Oliveira Alves>Carlos Eduardo{{flagiconAl-Hilal FC>Al-Hilal|!4{{flagiconDiogo Luís Santo>Diogo{{flagiconBuriram United F.C.>Buriram United|!4{{flagiconLima (footballer, born 1983)>Lima{{flagiconAl-Ahli Dubai F.C.>Al-Ahli|!4{{flagicon|BRA}} Everton Ribeiro{{flagiconAl-Ahli Dubai F.C.>Al-Ahli|!4{{small|Note: Goals scored in qualifying play-off not counted when determining top scorer (see regulations, Article 77.4).}}WEB,www.the-afc.com/afcasfeeds?&view=ajax&show=mod_topScorer&stageid=351&disp=all, Top Goal Scorers (by Stage) – 2015 AFC Champions League Playoff, AFC.com, {{small|Source: the-AFC.com}}WEB,www.the-afc.com/afcasfeeds?&view=ajax&show=mod_topScorer&stageid=352&disp=all, Top Goal Scorers (by Stage) – 2015 AFC Champions League Group Stage, AFC.com, WEB,www.the-afc.com/afcasfeeds?&view=ajax&show=mod_topScorer&stageid=366&disp=all, Top Goal Scorers (by Stage) – 2015 AFC Champions League Round of 16, AFC.com, WEB,www.the-afc.com/afcasfeeds?&view=ajax&show=mod_topScorer&stageid=376&disp=all, Top Goal Scorers (by Stage) – 2015 AFC Champions League Knockout Stage, AFC.com,

See also

• 2015 AFC Cup
• 2015 FIFA Club World Cup

References

{{Reflist|2}}

External links

• AFC Champions League, the-AFC.com

{{AFC Champions League seasons}}{{2015 in Asian football (AFC)}}{{2015 in Japanese football}}