Preface

Asian soccer has come a long way in the last few decades, and one of the top tournaments in Asian soccer, the AFCChampionsLeague, has risen to prominence in the process. Since the inaugural tournament in 2002, the AFC Champions League has become one of the symbols of Asian soccer. In this article, we take a look back at the illustrious history of the AFC Champions League's previous winners.

2002-2003 Season: Urawa Red Diamonds

In 2002, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) decided to create a new Asian club competition, the Asian Champions League. The inaugural tournament*** featured 18 teams, with Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan eventually winning the title. In the final, Urawa Red Diamonds beat Jeonbuk Hyundai of South Korea 3-2.

2004 Season: Al Ain

In 2004, the AFC Champions League was changed to a 32-team format for each season. Under this new format, Al Ain from Qatar became the second team to win the AFC Champions League. In the final, Al Ain beat Bukau of Uzbekistan 2-1.

2005 Season: Al Ain

In the 2005 AFC Champions League, Al Ain successfully defended their title. In the final, they defeated South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai by a score of 4-2.

2006 Season: Urawa Red Diamonds

In the 2006 AFC Champions League, Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds won the title again. They beat Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the final.

2007 season: Bukavu, Uzbekistan

In the 2007 AFC Champions League, Bukavu of Uzbekistan became the first Central Asian team to win the title. They beat Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the final.

2008 season: Al Ittihad

In the 2008 AFC Champions League, Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia won the title. In the final, they beat South Korea's Pohang Steelers 4-2.

2009 season: POSCO

In the 2009 AFC Champions League, South Korea's Pohang Steelers won the title. They beat Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia 3-2 in the final.

2010 season: POSCO

In the 2010 AFC Champions League, POSCO won the title again. In the final, they beat Iran's Sepahan 2-1.

2011 Season: Al Sadd

In the 2011 AFC Champions League, Al Sadd of Saudi Arabia won the title. In the final, they beat Sepahan of Iran 4-3.

2012 Season: Bukau, Uzbekistan

In the 2012 AFC Champions League, Bukau won the title again. In the final, they beat South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai 2-1.

2013 season: Guangzhou Evergrande

In the 2013 AFC Champions League, China's Guangzhou Evergrande won the title. In the final, they beat South Korean side Pohang Steelers 3-3 (away goal advantage).

2014 season: Western Sydney Wanderers

In the 2014 AFC Champions League, Australia's Western Sydney Wanderers won the title. In the final, they beat Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia 1-0.

2015 season: Guangzhou Evergrande

In the 2015 AFC Champions League, Guangzhou Evergrande won the title again. In the final, they beat Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates 1-0.

2016 season: Al Ahli

In the 2016 AFC Champions League, Al Ahli became the first UAE team to win the title. They beat South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai 3-2 in the final.

2017 season: Urawa Red Diamonds

In the 2017 AFC Champions League, Urawa Red Diamonds became the third team to win the title. In the final, they defeated Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia 2-1.

2018 season: Kashima Antlers

In the 2018 AFC Champions League, Japan's Kashima Antlers won the title. In the final, they beat Iran's Perdak 2-0.

2019 season: Al-Hilal

In the 2019 AFC Champions League, Al-Hilal became the third Saudi Arabian team to win the title. They defeated Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0 in the final.