The first edition of the Asian Women’s Champions League will kick off with 22 teams and the eventual winner will pocket at least $1.3 million, the continental governing body said Friday. India’s Odisha FC, winners of the 2023-2024 Indian Women’s League, will be playing in the Preliminary Stage for a chance to qualify for the main competition.
The Asian Football Confederation hopes the inaugural competition will provide a major boost to the women’s game across the region.
The 22 teams will come from across Asia, including North Korea, and the tournament will begin in August with a preliminary phase.
“Twenty-two member associations who have expressed interest in taking part will each be represented by one club for the landmark 2024/25 campaign,” the AFC said.
After the preliminary, group and initial knockout phases, the semi-finals and final will be played at a central venue from May 21 to 24 next year.
One club each from 22 countries across the continent will play in the new competition, including reigning Asian Women’s Club Championship winners Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies from Japan.
Urawa qualify automatically for the group phase as a representative of one of the eight highest-ranked member associations alongside teams from North Korea, Australia, China, South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan.
The remaining 14 clubs will play in a preliminary round that sees teams divided into four groups held in a centralised format from Aug. 25-31 with matches to be played in Jordan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Thailand.
The four group winners will join the other eight teams in the next phase, where three groups of four will face off in hubs in China, Vietnam and an as yet undecided third venue from Oct. 6-12.
The top two finishers plus the two best runners-up advance to the quarter-finals, which will be played in March, while the semi-finals and final are due to be held on May 21 and May 24.
Clubs participating in the group phase will receive a minimum of $100,000 with prize money increasing according to finishing position.
The list of clubs and their respective MA rankings can be found below:
Rank – Member – Club
1 – Japan – Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies
2 – North Korea – Naegohyang Women’s FC
3 – Australia – Melbourne City FC
4 – China PR – Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
5 – South Korea – Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
6 – Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC
7 – Philippines – Kaya FC-Iloilo
8 – Chinese Taipei – Taichung Blue Whale Women’s Football Team
9 – Thailand – TBC*
10 – Uzbekistan – PFC Nasaf
11 – Myanmar- Myawady Women Football Club
12 – Islamic Republic of Iran- Bam Khatoon FC
13 – India- Odisha FC
14 – Jordan- Etihad Club
15 – Hong Kong, China- TBC*
16 – Laos- Young Elephants FC
17 – Malaysia- Sabah FA
18 – Nepal- APF Football Club
19 – United Arab Emirates- Abu Dhabi Country Club
20 – Singapore- Lion City Sailors FC
21- Bhutan- RTC FC
22- Saudi Arabia – Al Nassr Club
*clubs to be confirmed following completion of ongoing domestic competition(s)
(With inputs from Agencies)
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