The 2017 AFC Champions League group stage was played from 20 February to 10 May 2017.[1] A total of 32 teams competed in the group stage to decide the 16 places in the knockout stage of the 2017 AFC Champions League.[2]
The draw for the group stage was held on 13 December 2016, 16:00 MYT (UTC+8), at the Hilton Petaling Jaya in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.[3][4][5] 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). Teams from the same association could not be drawn into the same group.[6]
The seeding of each team in the draw was determined by their association and their qualifying position within their association. The mechanism of the draw was as follows:[6]
For the West Region, a draw was held for the three associations with three direct entrants (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran) to determine the seeds 1 placed in order for Groups A, B and C. The remaining teams were then allocated to the groups according to the rules set by AFC.
For the East Region, a draw was held for the two associations with three direct entrants (South Korea, Japan) to determine the seeds 1 placed in order for Groups E and F. The remaining teams were then allocated to the groups according to the rules set by AFC.
The following 32 teams entered into the group stage draw, which included the 24 direct entrants and the eight winners of the play-off round of the qualifying play-offs, whose identity were not known at the time of the draw.[3][6]
In the group stage, each group was played on a home-and-away round-robin basis. The winners and runners-up of each group advanced to the round of 16 of the knockout stage.
Tiebreakers[]
The teams were ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss). If tied on points, tiebreakers were applied in the following order (Regulations Article 10.5):[2]
Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
Away goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
If more than two teams are tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams are still tied, all head-to-head criteria above are reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams;
Goal difference in all group matches;
Goals scored in all group matches;
Penalty shoot-out if only two teams are tied and they met in the last round of the group;
Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points);
Team from the higher-ranked association.
Schedule[]
The schedule of each matchday was as follows.[1] Matches in the West Region were played on Mondays and Tuesdays, while matches in the East Region were played on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
^ abHead-to-head results: Shanghai SIPG 3–2 Urawa Red Diamonds, Urawa Red Diamonds 1–0 Shanghai SIPG (Urawa Red Diamonds won on away goals).
^ abHead-to-head results: FC Seoul 2–3 Western Sydney Wanderers, Western Sydney Wanderers 2–3 FC Seoul (tied on head-to-head results, ranked on total goal difference).
^ abcThe seeding of the first and second group stage teams from Qatar and the first group stage team Uzbekistan were determined by draw.[6]
^On 18 January 2017, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors were excluded from the 2017 AFC Champions League due to a bribery scandal in the domestic K League Classic.[7] As a result, Jeju United entered the group stage instead of the qualifying play-offs to replace them.[8]
^ abThe identity of the second and third group stage teams from Japan were not known at the time of the draw.[9]
^ abThe seeding of the first group stage teams from Thailand and Hong Kong were determined by draw.[6]
^ abcdefghMatches between teams from Iran and Saudi Arabia were played on neutral venues due to deterioration of Iran–Saudi Arabia relations.
Al-Ahli
Al-Ahli
Esteghlal Khuzestan
Al-Rayyan[note 1]
Lokomotiv Tashkent[note 1]
FC Seoul
Kashima Antlers
Guangzhou Evergrande
Brisbane Roar (Play-off East 4)
Muangthong United[note 4]
Eastern[note 4]
39'