2024–25 AFC Champions League Two
International football competition
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The 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two was the 21st edition of the Asia's second-tier club football tournament, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the first since it was rebranded as the AFC Champions League Two.[1] The competition featured a new format, which included a 32-team group stage, as well as increased prize money.[2][3]
14 August 2024
Competition proper:
17 September 2024 – 18 May 2025
Sharjah (1st title)
Lion City SailorsBishan Stadium in Singapore hosted the final | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | Qualifying: 14 August 2024 Competition proper: 17 September 2024 – 18 May 2025 |
| Teams | Competition proper: 31 (from 22 associations) |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Sharjah (1st title) |
| Runners-up | Lion City Sailors |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 119 |
| Goals scored | 395 (3.32 per match) |
| Attendance | 590,890 (4,965 per match) |
| Top scorer |  Sardar Azmoun (9 goals) |
| Best player | Caio Lucas |
2025–26 → | |
The final was held at Bishan Stadium in Singapore, between Lion City Sailors and Sharjah, with both clubs appearing in their first continental final. Sharjah won 2–1, with Marcus Meloni scoring the winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time. As Sharjah had already qualified for the league stage of the 2025–26 AFC Champions League Elite via their league performance, the preliminary stage slot reserved for the Champions League Two winners in the Champions League Elite was vacated.
Central Coast Mariners were defending champions, but were unable to defend their title as they participated in the league stage of the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Elite.[4]
Association team allocation
The associations were allocated slots according to their club competitions ranking,[5] which was published after the 2022 competitions were completed.[6]
| Participation for 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two | |
|---|---|
| Participating | |
| Not participating | |
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- Notes
Teams
The number of appearances and last appearance include the AFC Cup as the predecessor of the AFC Champions League Two.
- Notes
- ^ India (IND): On 7 October 2024, AFC announced that Mohun Bagan SG were considered to have withdrawn from the competition after they failed to appear for their fixture against Tractor in Tabriz due to safety concerns arising from the October 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel. Their single match was expunged.
- ^ Iran (IRN): As 2023–24 Hazfi Cup winners Sepahan qualified for the Champions League Elite via their league position, the spot reserved for the Hazfi Cup winners was transferred to the fourth-placed team in the 2023–24 Persian Gulf Pro League.
- ^ Iraq (IRQ): As 2023–24 Iraq FA Cup winners Al-Shorta qualified for the Champions League Elite via their league position, the spot reserved for the Iraq FA Cup winners was transferred to the runners-up of the 2023–24 Iraq Stars League.
- ^ Malaysia (MAS): As 2023 Malaysia FA Cup winners Johor Darul Ta'zim qualified for the Champions League Elite via their league position, the spot reserved for the Malaysia FA Cup winners was transferred to the runners-up of the 2023 Malaysia Super League.
- ^ Philippines (PHI): As 2023 Copa Paulino Alcantara winners Kaya–Iloilo qualified for the Champions League Two via their league position, the spot reserved for the Copa Paulino Alcantara winners was transferred to the runners-up of the 2024 Philippines Football League.
- ^ Qatar (QAT): As 2024 Emir of Qatar Cup winners Al-Sadd qualified for the Champions League Elite via their league position, the spot reserved for the Emir of Qatar Cup winners was transferred to the fourth-placed team in the 2023-24 Qatar Stars League.
- ^ Saudi Arabia (KSA): As 2023–24 King Cup winners Al Hilal qualified for the Champions League Elite via their league position, the spot reserved for the King Cup winners was transferred to the fourth-placed team in the 2023–24 Saudi Pro League.[8]
- ^ Singapore (SGP): As 2023 Singapore Premier League winners Albirex Niigata (S) are a Japanese team and therefore ineligible to represent Singapore in AFC club competitions, and league runners-up Lion City Sailors qualified for the Champions League Two as 2023 Singapore Cup winners, the spot reserved for the Singapore Premier League winners was transferred to the third-placed team in the league.
- ^ South Korea (KOR): As 2023 Korean FA Cup winners Pohang Steelers qualified for the Champions League Elite via their league position, the spot reserved for the Korean FA Cup winners was transferred to the fourth-placed team in the 2023 K League 1.
- ^ Tajikistan (TJK): As 2023 Tajikistan Cup winners Istiklol qualified for the Champions League Two via their league position, the spot reserved for the Tajikistan Cup winners was transferred to the runners-up of the 2023 Tajikistan Higher League.
- ^ Thailand (THA): As 2023–24 Thai League 1 runners-up Bangkok United qualified for the Champions League Elite as 2023–24 Thai FA Cup winners, the spot reserved for the Thai League 1 runners-up was transferred to the third-placed team in the league.
Fifth-placed Muangthong United qualified for the Group stage as Thanh Hóa withdrew from the competition and fourth-placed BG Pathum United declined to participate due to logistical issues.[9] - ^ Turkmenistan (TKM): Arkadag, winners of the 2023 Ýokary Liga and 2023 Turkmenistan Cup would have qualified for the qualifying play-off, but were only awarded an AFC Challenge League license. As a result, the berth was given to Altyn Asyr, the runners-up of the 2023 Ýokary Liga.[7]
- ^ United Arab Emirates (UAE): As 2023–24 UAE President's Cup winners Al-Wasl qualified for the Champions League Elite via their league position, and third-placed team of the 2023–24 UAE Pro League team Al Ain qualified for the Champions League Elite as 2023–24 AFC Champions League winners, the spot reserved for the UAE President's Cup winners was transferred to the fourth-placed team in the league.
Schedule
The schedule of the competition is as follows.[10] All matches were played on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, apart from the final which took place on a Sunday.
| Stage | Round | Draw date | West region | East region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary stage | No draw[a] | 14 August 2024 | ||
| Group stage | Matchday 1 | 16 August 2024 | 17–18 September 2024 | 18–19 September 2024 |
| Matchday 2 | 1–2 October 2024 | 2–3 October 2024 | ||
| Matchday 3 | 22–23 October 2024 | 23–24 October 2024 | ||
| Matchday 4 | 5–6 November 2024 | 6–7 November 2024 | ||
| Matchday 5 | 26–27 November 2024 | 27–28 November 2024 | ||
| Matchday 6 | 3–4 December 2024 | 4–5 December 2024 | ||
| Knockout stage | Round of 16 | 12 December 2024 | 11–12 and 18–19 February 2025 | 12–13 and 19–20 February 2025 |
| Quarter-finals | 4–5 and 11–12 March 2025 | 5–6 and 12–13 March 2025 | ||
| Semi-finals | 8 and 15 April 2025 | 9 and 16 April 2025 | ||
| Final | 18 May 2025 at Bishan Stadium, Bishan | |||
- pre-determined format
Preliminary stage
The bracket of the preliminary stage was determined based on each team's association ranking and their seeding within their association, with the team from the higher-ranked association hosting the match. Teams from the same association could not be placed into the same tie. The two winners of the play-off round (two from West Region) advanced to the group stage to join the 30 direct entrants, while losers of the qualifying play-offs entered the group stage of the 2024–25 AFC Challenge League.
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|
East Bengal  | 2–3 |  Altyn Asyr |
Al-Ahli  | 0–1 |  Al-Kuwait |
| East Bengal | 2–3 | Altyn Asyr |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Group stage
The draw for the group stage took place on 16 August at the InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[11] The 32 teams were drawn into eight groups of four: four groups each in the West Region (Groups A–D) and the East Region (Groups E–H).[12] For each region, teams were seeded into four pots and drawn into the relevant positions within each group, based on their association ranking and their seeding within their association. Teams from the same association could not be drawn into the same group.
Brown: Group A; 
Cyan: Group B; 
Orange: Group C; 
Yellow: Group D; 
Pink: Group E;
Green: Group F; 
Blue: Group G; 
Red: Group HWest Region
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | TRA | WAK | RAV | MBSG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tractor |
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 4 | +12 | 10 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 3–3 | 7–0 | ||
| 2 |  Al-Wakrah |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | −4 | 4 | 0–3 | — | 0–2 | |||
| 3 |  Ravshan Kulob |
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 11 | −8 | 3 | 1–3 | 0–1 | — | |||
| 4 | Mohun Bagan SG |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Withdrew, record expunged[a] | — |
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | TAA | KHA | AFC | ALT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Al-Taawoun |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 6 | +7 | 15 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 2–1 | 1–2 | 2–1 | |
| 2 | Al-Khaldiya |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 7 | +7 | 12 | 2–3 | — | 4–1 | 4–0 | ||
| 3 |  Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya |
6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 9 | −1 | 9 | 0–1 | 1–2 | — | 2–1 | ||
| 4 | Altyn Asyr |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 15 | −13 | 0 | 0–4 | 0–1 | 0–2 | — |
Group C
Group D
East Region
Group E
Group F
Group G
Group H
Knockout stage
In the knockout stage, the 16 teams played a single-elimination tournament. Each tie was played on a home-and-away two-legged basis, except the final which was played as a single match. Extra time and penalty shoot-out would be used to decide the winners if necessary (Regulations Article 10). The order of matches (home vs away) would be determined at the draw, except for the final. The final venue was pre-determined on a rotation basis, with the match hosted by the team from the East Region. The draw for the knockout stage was held on 12 December 2024.
Bracket
| Round of 16 | Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Final | |||||||||||||||||
 Nam Định | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
 Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 3 | 4 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||
| Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Lion City Sailors | 3 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
 Muangthong United | 2 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Lion City Sailors | 3 | 4 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||
| Lion City Sailors | 2 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| East Region | ||||||||||||||||||||
 Sydney FC | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Port | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 4 | 1 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 0 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Sydney FC | 2 | 3 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| Sydney FC (a.e.t.) | 2 | 3 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| 18 May – Singapore | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Bangkok United | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| Lion City Sailors | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sharjah | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Al-Khaldiya | 1 | 3 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| Tractor | 2 | 3 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| Tractor | 0 | 2 | 2 (2) | |||||||||||||||||
| Al Taawoun (p) | 0 | 2 | 2 (4) | |||||||||||||||||
| Al-Wakrah | 2 | 2 | 4 (3) | |||||||||||||||||
| Al Taawoun (p) | 2 | 2 | 4 (4) | |||||||||||||||||
| Al Taawoun | 1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| West Region | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sharjah | 0 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
 Al-Wehdat | 0 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Shabab Al Ahli | 2 | 4 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| Shabab Al Ahli | 1 | 1 | 2 (4) | |||||||||||||||||
| Sharjah (p) | 1 | 1 | 2 (5) | |||||||||||||||||
| Al-Hussein | 0 | 1 | 1 (0) | |||||||||||||||||
| Sharjah (p) | 1 | 0 | 1 (3) | |||||||||||||||||
Round of 16
The first legs were played on 11, 12 and 13 February, and the second legs on 18, 19 and 20 February 2025.
| Team 1 | Agg. Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Region | ||||
| Al-Khaldiya | 4–5 | Tractor | 1–2 | 3–3 |
| Al-Wakrah | 4–4 (3–4 p) | Al Taawoun | 2–2 | 2–2 (a.e.t.) |
| Al-Wehdat | 3–6 | Shabab Al Ahli | 0–2 | 3–4 |
| Al-Hussein | 1–1 (0–3 p) | Sharjah | 0–1 | 1–0 (a.e.t.) |
| East Region | ||||
| Nam Định | 0–7 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 0–3 | 0–4 |
| Muangthong United | 2–7 | Lion City Sailors | 2–3 | 0–4 |
| Port | 0–5 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 0–4 | 0–1 |
| Sydney FC | 5–4 | Bangkok United | 2–2 | 3–2 (a.e.t.) |
Quarter-finals
| Team 1 | Agg. Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Region | ||||
| Tractor | 2–2 (2–4 p) | Al Taawoun | 0–0 | 2–2 (a.e.t.) |
| Shabab Al Ahli | 2–2 (4–5 p) | Sharjah | 1–1 | 1–1 (a.e.t.) |
| East Region | ||||
| Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 1–4 | Lion City Sailors | 0–3[note 1] | 1–1 |
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 2–5 | Sydney FC | 0–2 | 2–3 |
Semi-finals
| Team 1 | Agg. Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Region | ||||
| Al Taawoun | 1–2 | Sharjah | 1–0 | 0–2 |
| East Region | ||||
| Lion City Sailors | 2–1 | Sydney FC | 2–0 | 0–1 |
Final
The final was played on 18 May 2025, with the team from the East region hosting the final.
Top scorers
| Rank | Player | Team | MD1 | MD2 | MD3 | MD4 | MD5 | MD6 | R16-1 | R16-2 | QF1 | QF2 | SF1 | SF2 | F | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sardar Azmoun |
Shabab Al-Ahli |
1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 | |||||||
| 2 | Shawal Anuar |
Lion City Sailors |
2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | |||||||
| 3 | Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh |
Tractor |
2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | ||||||||
| 4 |  Patryk Klimala |
Sydney FC |
2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | |||||||||
| 5 | Kamil Al-Aswad |
Al-Khaldiya |
1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | ||||||||||
 Muhsen Al-Ghassani |
Bangkok United |
2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
 Musa Barrow |
Al-Taawoun |
2 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||
 Gelson Dala |
Al-Wakrah |
1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||
 Ousseynou Gueye |
Al-Wehdat |
1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
 Luanzinho |
Sharjah |
1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||
| Caio Lucas |
Sharjah |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Mateusão |
Shabab Al-Ahli |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
 Anas Ouahim |
Sydney FC |
2 | 3 | |||||||||||||
| Rafaelson |
Nam Định |
1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||
| Adrian Segecic |
Sydney FC |
1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Song Ui-young |
Lion City Sailors |
1 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||
 Maxime Lestienne |
Lion City Sailors |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
- Note
- Goals scored in the qualifying play-offs and matches voided by AFC are not counted when determining top scorer (Regulations Article 64.4)