The Asian Football Confederation holds an annual continental club football competition known as AFC Cup. The current rules of this cup allow the clubs from those nations that didn’t get the direct qualification in the AFC Champions League and this is determined by AFC Club Competitions Ranking. It was founded in 2004 – 18 years ago. A total of 59 teams participate in this competition.
Origins
Back in 2004, AFC Cup as a second-tier competition began. The first AFC Cup was won by Al-Jaish as they defeated the Syrian opponents Al-Wahda by away goals. This tournament’s final used to be played on leg matches till 2008. This system was discontinued in 2008 and Al-Muharraq was the last team to compete in this format. A third-tier league – AFC President’s Cup was also used to be played but this cup was demolished in 2014.
Format
The format of the AFC Cup had a few changes back in 2017. After 2017, this competition’s format was changed and a total of 36 teams participated in this Cup. The 36 teams were divided into 12 teams each from West Asia and ASEAN, while 4 teams from East Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia. The final had a one-off match.
Successive clubs
The AFC Cup has had some great tournaments and here is the list of teams that have won the tournament most times.
Al-Kuwait
Al-Kuwait has been the most successful team alongside Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. Al-Kuwait has won the AFC Cup a record of 3 times in 2009,2012 and 2013. They were also the runner-up in the 2011 session.
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya has won the same number of titles as Al-Kuwait. They have also won it 3 times (2016, 2017, 2018).
Al-Faisaly
In the 3rd position, we have Al-Faisaly. They have won the AFC Cup 2 times (2005, 2006). They were also the runner-up in 2007.
Successive nations
As the clubs participate from the different nations so let’s have a look at the nations that have won the AFC Cup the most.
Kuwait
Kuwait has been the winner of the AFC Cup 4 times and the runner-up 3 times. With a total of 7 appearances in the final, Kuwait is the most successful nation in the history of the AFC Cup.
Iraq
Iraq has been to the final of the AFC Cup 5 times and out of which 3 times they have won it. A total of 5 appearances in the final makes Iraq the 2nd most successful nation.
Jordan
Jordan has also reached the final 4 times and won it 3 times. With 4 finals in total, they are 3rd on the list of most successful nations.
All-time top goalscorers
The players who have the most goals in the history of the AFC Cup are listed below:
- Bienvenido Maranon (Ceres-Negros): 35 Goals
- Mahmoud Shelbaieh (Al-Wehdat): 34 Goals
- Amjad Radhi (Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya): 32 Goals
