If the competition do away with east and west , there will be no teams from Asean apart from thai clubs. This will be good for us for getting good slots and money to clubs .
I don't see issue with East & West region in AFC champions league. Both regions has given equal importance.
AFC cup format is completed messed-up. AFC has to follow Champions league format for AFC cup as well. Having 2 teams from same country in a group stage is a stupid thing , that too when only 1 team progresses to next round.
I agree West region is tougher. It will be tough for Indian clubs to beat the clubs from Uzbekistan, Iraq, Jordan, Syria & Lebanon when compared to Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore & Hong Kong clubs.
But it's better if we stop crying and improve our standards. We never thought we would be able to collect 3 points against Qatar & UAE clubs. We will grow only if we face tough opponents instead of looking for easier opponents. Mainly clubs needs to find & groom Indian Strikers. Clubs will not succeed if they rely only on foreign strikers.
Also we have to understand that clubs from East region had more success in AFC champions league than West Region clubs and there is no immediate necessity to change Champions league format.
In current fomat we are in danger of losing champions league spot from 2023 . Even if the standard is increased in future, if our MA ranking drops we can forget about playing atleast Asean clubs .In current format we will facing clubs from bangladesh and maldives in AFC cup where in two indian clubs face other and one of them is eliminated in group stage.This way it is very difficult to collect ranking points since it is taken on average points /clubs.
Mixing the zones in CL is not a good idea. Imagine a team from Australia drawn against a team from Jordan. On a normal season, ACL happens while the league is going on. Asia is too big compared to Europe. Even in Europe, some match ups are avoided during draw because of excessive travel. In Asia most interzone matchups exceed that distance.
AFC should follow the East - West zone in AFC Cup. We will still be in West but that's ok. But no so good for the weak nations.
Yeah East West should be fine. This further division into ASEAN South Asia Central asia has worsened the situation.
If there is a natural calamity or political problems, there are safe zones in east and west zone like Singapore, Dubai which has enough infrastructure to host the games.
Due to corona, entire south asia / ASEAN got stuck. No backup options
Singapore player Daniel Bennett become the second oldest player to appear in AFC Champions League, at the age of 43 years, 5 months, and 18 days. Only 3 months behind the record held by Saudi Arabia player Hussein Abdulghani (43 years, 8 months, 9 days)
ASEAN Clubs are very lucky. United City of Philippines (previously Ceres negro) dominated Beijing Guoan with 75% possession but only managed a 1-1 draw.
Comments
Chinese league is going on at the moment clubs didn't want to take risk of changing bio-bubble . All chinese clubs sent youth teams .
https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3138547/shanghai-port-out-afc-champions-league-kaya-make-history
AFC cup format is completed messed-up. AFC has to follow Champions league format for AFC cup as well. Having 2 teams from same country in a group stage is a stupid thing , that too when only 1 team progresses to next round.
I agree West region is tougher. It will be tough for Indian clubs to beat the clubs from Uzbekistan, Iraq, Jordan, Syria & Lebanon when compared to Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore & Hong Kong clubs.
But it's better if we stop crying and improve our standards. We never thought we would be able to collect 3 points against Qatar & UAE clubs. We will grow only if we face tough opponents instead of looking for easier opponents. Mainly clubs needs to find & groom Indian Strikers. Clubs will not succeed if they rely only on foreign strikers.
Also we have to understand that clubs from East region had more success in AFC champions league than West Region clubs and there is no immediate necessity to change Champions league format.
AFC should follow the East - West zone in AFC Cup. We will still be in West but that's ok. But no so good for the weak nations.