After announcing the member association ranking (used to determine slot allocations for AFC's club competitions), AFC have also revealed a club ranking. Very similar to the UEFA club coefficient.
Saudi Arabia have two teams on the podium, with 2014 AFC Champions League finalists, Al Hilal, top of the list, with Al Ittihad in 3rd. Korea Republic's FC Seoul are 2nd.
This is all very nice, but why haven't they used this club ranking to seed the teams from the group stage draw?
West region
Pot 1: Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Foolad (Iran), Al-Shabab (Saudi Arabia), Al-Ain (United Arab Emirates)
Pot 2: Lekhwiya (Qatar), Persepolis (Iran), Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia), Tractor Sazi (Iran)
Pot 3: Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan), Nasaf Qarshi (Uzbekistan), Al-Ahli (United Arab Emirates), Lokomotiv Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
East region
Pot 1: Western Sydney Wanderers (Australia), Guangzhou Evergrande (China PR), Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (Korea Republic), Suwon Samsung Bluewings (Korea Republic)
Pot 2: Buriram United (Thailand), Gamba Osaka (Japan), Seongnam FC (Korea Republic), Kashima Antlers (Japan)
Pot 3: Shandong Luneng Taishan (China PR), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), Brisbane Roar (Australia), Becamex Bình Dương (Vietnam)
I've placed Western Sydney Wanderes in pot 1 as holders.
Looking at the groups:
Group A: three teams from Pot 2
Group B and C: two teams from Pot 1 and one from Pot 3
Group D: one team from Pot 2 and two from Pot 3
Group E and G: one team from Pot 1 and two from Pot 3
Group F: three teams from Pot 2
Group H: two teams from Pot 1 and one from Pot 2
Unless AFC use this ranking for the 2016 AFC Champions League draw, it's pretty much useless.
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