Competition Format
AFC’s second-tier club competition will also see changes in terms of teams and format for the 2009 edition.
- For the first time in its history, teams from Iraq and Kuwait will join the AFC Cup fray. Syrian clubs reappear in the competition after winning the inaugural edition (Al Jaish) in 2004.
- The other countries are Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Yemen, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Maldives. Each country has two seats, while Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam will have one team in addition to the club which is playing in the ACL playoff/preliminary stage.
- A total of 32 teams will participate in the tournament (20 from West Asia and India, and 12 from East Asia).
- The teams will be divided into eight groups. Five of these groups will comprise West Asian teams, and three groups will make up the East Asian block.
- Two teams from each group will qualify for the Round of 16, where they will play one single knockout match.
- The quarter-finals, semi-finals will be played over two legs.
- The final will be played as a one-off match.
Read more about this topic: AFC Cup
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