2007 AFC Champions League


The 2007 AFC Champions League was the 26th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament and the 5th edition under the current AFC Champions League title.
Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds became champions for the first time, beating Sepahan of Iran and becoming the fourth Japanese club to win the Asian championship, and qualified for the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup.

Format

;Group Stage
A total of 28 clubs were divided into 7 groups of four, based on region i.e. East Asian and Southeast Asian clubs were drawn in groups E to G, while the rest were grouped in groups A to D. Each club played double round-robin against fellow three group members, a total of 6 matches each. Clubs received 3pts for a win, 1pt for a tie, 0pts for a loss. The clubs were ranked according to points and tie breakers were in the following order:
  • Points earned between the clubs in question
  • Goal Differential between the clubs in question
  • Points earned within the group
  • Goal Differential within the group
  • Goals For within the group
The seven group winners along with the defending champion advanced to the quarter-finals.
;Knockout Round
All eight clubs were randomly matched; however, the only restriction was that the clubs from the same country could not face each other in the quarter-finals. The games were conducted in 2 legs, home and away, and the aggregate score decided the match winner. If the aggregate score couldn't produce a winner, "away goals rule" was used. If still tied, clubs played extra time, where "away goals rule" still applied. If still tied, the game went to penalties.

Participating clubs

After their admission into the AFC, Australia were granted two entries. Because of this, both Thailand and Vietnam were restricted to entering just one club, with a second club from each country playing in the AFC Cup.
;Notes

Group stage

The draw took place in Kuala Lumpur on 22 December, allocating teams into seven groups. In February, the AFC disqualified Esteghlal Tehran from Group B for failing to register their players in time.
Group matches were scheduled to be played over match days on 7 March 21 March 11 April 25 April 9 and 23 May 2007.

Group A


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Group B


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Group C


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Group D


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Group E


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Group F


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Group G


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Knock-out stage

Bracket

Quarter-finals

First leg

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Second leg

  • Sepahan progress 5–4 on penalties after 0–0 aggregate score
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  • ''Urawa Red Diamonds progress 4–1 on aggregate''

    Semi-finals

First leg

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Second leg

  • Urawa Red Diamonds progress 5–3 on penalties after 4–4 aggregate score
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  • ''Sepahan progress 3–1 on aggregate''

    Final

First leg

Second leg

  • ''Urawa Red Diamonds win 3–1 on aggregate''

    Top scorers