2005 AFC Champions League - Format

Format

Group Stage

A total of 28 clubs are divided into 7 groups of four, based on region i.e. East Asian and Southeast Asian clubs are drawn in Group E to F, while rest are grouped in Group A to D. Each club plays double round-robin (home and away) against fellow three group members, a total of 6 matches each. Clubs receive 3pts for a win, 1pt for a tie, 0pts for a loss. The clubs are ranked according to points and tie breakers are in following order:

• Points earned between the clubs in question
• Goal Differential between the clubs in question
• Goal For between the clubs in question
• Points earned within the group
• Goal Differential within the group
• Goal For within the group

The seven group winners along with the defending champions qualifies to the quarter-finals.

Knockout Round

All 8 clubs are randomly matched; however, the only restriction is that the clubs from same country cannot face each other in the quarterfinals. The games are conduced in 2 legs, home and away, and the aggregates goals decides the match winner. If the aggregate goals cannot produce a winner, away goal rules in used. If still tied, clubs play extra time, where away goal rule still applies. If stilled tied, the game goes to penalties.