The COVID crisis in the country and the extravaganza of the Indian Premier League has ensured that Indian football club FC Goa's AFC Champions League 2021 campaign has been well and truly been deprived of the spotlight. Having played their quota of 6 group stage matches, FC Goa managed to claim 3 draws and face defeat as many numbers of times, which meant that they ended 3^rd in their group, in the process failing to achieve qualification for the following round.

Indian Football Club FC Goa in AFC Champions League 2021

The fact that the table-toppers of the Indian Super League 2019/20 faced a group stage exit does not tell the whole story. FC Goa became the first ever Indian team to secure a point in the AFC Champions League after battling it out against former French World Cup winner Laurent Blanc's side, Qatar's Al Rayyan. Despite Al Rayyan seeming more dominant right from kick-off at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, the Gaurs, coached by Juan Ferrando, kept a clean sheet, with goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem proving to be a standout performer.  

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FC Goa played out two more stalemates, against Al Wahda and Al Rayyan (the return leg) to go with their three losses. The Gaurs could have had at least 5 more points, for they took the lead on two occasions, but were unable to hold on to it.

The first instance was against Iran's Persepolis F.C. on the 20^th of April, where an Edu Bedia header from a Brandon Fernandes free kick 14 minutes in got his side ahead, only for them to concede a penalty, and subsequently the equaliser four minutes later. Some careless defending ensured that they went behind in the 24^th minute, as Jalal Hossaini, unmarked, leapt up and headed the Iran-based club back in front from a cross from Mehdi Torabi.

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If the game against Persepolis wasn't agonising enough, FC Goa's return leg against Al Rayyan six days later turned out to be a gut-wrenching affair. With both sides competing in a dead rubber, having been mathematically eliminated already, Goa had the lead inside 3 minutes, thanks to Jorge Ortiz's untidy yet effective finish. They were a minute of regulation time away from securing the first ever win by an Indian club in the competition, when goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh, who had done exceptionally well to keep his side in the game until then, was unable to latch on to an attempted pass from the right, and Ali Ferydoon levelled for Al Rayyan.

For the Indian football fraternity, the biggest takeaway out of this campaign was Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem. The shot-stopper from Manipur made 26 saves in the 5 appearances that he made, the most in the West Zone group league stage.

"Dheeraj Singh certainly made a name for himself on his continental debut, pulling off a tournament-leading 26 saves in just five games, among them a number of memorable efforts that earned high praise from impressed observers," the AFC said on its website about Dheeraj, who rose to fame following the U17 World Cup in 2017.

5 memorable performances from Indian football teams in Asian competitions

Inspired by FC Goa's campaign, we look at 5 memorable performances from Indian football teams in Asian competitions.

#1 Mysore State, Asian Champion Club Tournament 1969 Semi-Finalists

By virtue of lifting the Santosh Trophy earlier that year, defeating West Bengal in the replay of the final by a goal to nil after the first leg ended in a goalless draw, the Karnataka football team, known as Mysore State back then, sealed a spot in the premier football competition of Asia, then known as the Asian Champion Club Tournament. While the inaugural edition of the tournament, held two years ago, had a straight knockout format, group stages were added to it from the following edition. A total of 10 teams competed over 24 matches in the 16-day affair in Thailand.

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Mysore State, allotted in Group A alongside Yangzee, Bangkok Bank, Vietnam Police and Manila Lions, got off to the worst possible start to the campaign, conceding 5 against South Korea-based Yangzee FC. A 1-1 draw against Bangkok Bank somewhat redeemed their morale, which they used to the best effect by defeating both Vietnam Police and Manila Lions by 2 goals to 1. The two wins and the draw helped them earn a total of 5 points, which ensured their promotion to the semi-finals.

A crushing 6-1 defeat to Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv in the 1^st semi-final diminished hopes of Asian glory for Mysore. Subsequently, the 4-time Santosh Trophy champions gave away the bronze spot to Japanese club Togo Kogyo, losing 2 goals to nil. To date, Mysore State's 1969 Asian Champion Club Tournament campaign remains the most successful for an Indian football side in Asia's premier football competition.

#2 Dempo Sports Club, AFC Cup 2008 Semi-Finalists

Once regarded as one of India's footballing giants, Dempo Sports Club earned a ticket to the AFC Cup in 2008 after finishing on top of the National League table (the then top competition in Indian football) the year before. They set off their campaign on home soil with a resounding 3-1 win over Lebanese opponents Al-Ansar, thanks to a brace from Ranti Martins and a goal from fellow forward Chidi Edeh. An unsuccessful visit to Oman to play Sur Sports Club, followed by a 4-0 defeat against Bahrain's Al-Muharraq meant that they had to pull off something special to go through, and so they did.

A second Ranti Martins brace at the Bahrain National Stadium, followed by a 1-1 draw at Beirut meant that they needed a win in their final group game, against Sur Sports Club to safely advance to the knockouts. They made light work of the job, smashing 5 past the Omani club's defence and conceding only 2 in return late in the game. Martins struck his third brace of the tournament, Chidi scored two as well, and Climax Lawrence wrapped things up with a goal of his own.   

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Dempo finished 2^nd in the group, and 3^rd in the best group runners-up chart, 3 points clear of Jordanian clubs Al-Wahdat and Shabab Al-Ordon. They faced group D winners Lion City Sailors FC (Home United) of Singapore in the Quarter-Final over two legs, which took place at the start of the following football season. Mboyo Iyomi, brought in from Churchill Brothers to replace Chidi Edeh, who had departed for Mahindra United, equalized late in the day to keep his side in the tie going to the second leg.

A 7-goal thriller ensured that Dempo went through to the semis. In a match that can be described as a classic in Indian football folklore, Iyomi opened the scoring for Dempo at the Jalan Besar Stadium a minute into the game. Roberto Mendes thumped the Goanese side back in the lead in the 23^rd minute after Peres De Oliviera's equalised 10 minutes ago. Indra Sahdhan then scored twice in quick time to get the hosts in front for the first time in the game, only for Climax Lawrence to equalize with a captain's goal right at the cusp of half-time.

With his side already ahead on away goals, Mendes scored his second and Dempo's 4th in the dying minutes of the game to kill the tie off. Their fantastic run in the tournament came to an end when they faced off against Safa Sporting Club from Beirut in the semis. Unable to score away from home and a goal behind from the first leg, Dempo's spirits were crushed after they went 2-nil down in the second leg at home, as Mohammad Kassas struck twice for the Wata El-Museitbeh-based team. Although Iyomi provided a consolation goal earlier in the second half, Safa Sporting piled on the misery with two more late strikes from super-sub Hussain Tahan.

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#3 East Bengal, AFC Cup 2013 Semi-Finalists

The Red and Gold Brigade made doubly sure of their qualification in the tournament, their 7^th appearance, by winning the Federation Cup the previous year to go along with the I-League runners-up medal. Having topped group H with a total of 14 points in 6 games, they cruised to the last 16 stages. Chidi Edeh, Lalrindika Ralte and Penn Orji scored three goals each in the group stage, with Edeh going on to be the top-scorer for his side in the tournament with 6 goals.

East Bengal put 5 past Burmese side Yangon United's defence in the one-off round of 16 encounter, which was played between the group winners and group runners-up from the same zone. While Orji opened the scoring in the 2^nd minute in front of a moderate Salt Lake Stadium crowd in Kolkata, Chidi scored a striker's hat-trick with some tidy finishing to send the Red & Gold Brigade supporters into a frenzy. Mehtab Hossain was the third goal-scorer for the hosts, sending them 3 up right at the start of the second half. Cesar Augusto's goal late in the day provided some consolation for the visitors.

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East Bengal travelled to Indonesia with a 1-0 lead from the first leg against Semen Padang, thanks to a clinical hit by substitute Ryuji Sueoka from outside the box in the 70^th minute. An ordinary bit of distribution from keeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was pouched on to and capitalized by Edward Wilson, giving the then Indonesian Premier League champions the lead on the day. Semen Padang was dominant for the best part of the game, but an immaculate cross from Baljit Sahni towards the far post was headed into the back of the net by James Moga in the 78^th minute, which sealed a semi-finals spot for the 100-year-old club from Bengal.

Despite conceding 4 pedestrian goals against Al-Kuwait in the first leg of the semis, East Bengal still had the belief of being in the tie going into the return fixture, for they had two vital away goals, one headed in by Uga Okpara from a corner in the 65^th minute, the other being a splendid finish from Lalrindika Ralte in the 87^th. East Bengal was well and truly in the hunt in the return fixture, before Al-Kuwait struck twice in two minutes, right on the cusp of halftime, and the contest was over.

An own-goal from Abhishek Das in the dying stages summed things up for the hosts, as they crashed out of the tournament, unable to break the barrier of an Indian team being able to play the summit clash in an Asian football tournament, a feat that was achieved 3 years later.

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#4 Bengaluru FC, AFC Cup 2016 Runners-Up

The AFC Cup Final in 2016 had a few firsts. Finalists Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and Bengaluru FC made their first AFC Cup Final appearance, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (Translates to Air Force Athletic Club in English) did so in their first ever AFC Cup appearance, and The Blues reached heights no other Indian football team had scaled before, becoming the first ever football team from the country to play in the final of an Asian football tournament.

Both Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan made it to the last 16, with Mohun Bagan topping their group. While the Mariners were unable to make further progress, agonizingly conceding the winning goal against Singapore-based Tampines Rovers FC with 4 minutes left to extra-time, Bengaluru FC, despite going behind to Hong Kong club Kitchee in the 7^th minute, got themselves back in front thanks to a brace from skipper and talisman Sunil Chhetri. Daniel Lalhlimpuia added a third in the 51^st minute to reclaim the lead for the Blues after Jordi Tarres levelled for the hosts.

A defensive lapse from Tampines Rovers in the quarter-final was capitalized upon by the finalists, as CK Vineeth netted the only goal of the tie. A week after the tie against the Rovers, Eugeneson Lyngdoh gave The Blues a goal worth of gold, both in terms of quality and context, in the first leg of the semi-final against Johor Darul Ta'zim at Malaysia. He defied the lack of space and fired in a shot from over 20 yards into the bottom right corner, four minutes after the hosts took the lead courtesy of a header from Jorge Diaz in the second half.

Safiq Rahim nullified the away goal factor for The Blues 11 minutes into the second leg by heading in the rebound off Amrinder Singh's gloves as the keeper only managed a weak punch against a shot from Safee Sali. It took a brace from talisman Sunil Chhetri to push the hosts back in front, the first one headed into the bottom left corner from a Eugeneson Lyngdoh corner kick, and the second one a world class strike from outside the box after making space for himself by skipping past a couple of JDT players after controlling the pass. A header from Juan Antonio capped off a historic night for Bengaluru FC and for Indian football, as The Blues sealed a first ever finals spot in an AFC competition.

Due to the fact that Iraqi teams were not allowed to host their home matches in their country, the final took place at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium in Qatar. Amidst vociferous support despite playing at a neutral venue, Air Force Club created a bulk of chances before a clever piece of play saw them take the lead in the 70^th minute.

Amjed Radhi, pretending to pass the ball to Hammadi Ahmed who was standing in an offside position, dribbled past the Bengaluru defence into the box as Ahmed merely stepped aside. He then tapped the ball back to Ahmed past keeper Lalthuamawia Ralte, who was in goal in place of the suspended Amrinder Singh, and Ahmed, by then well and truly onside, completed the formalities. Bengaluru fought and fought till the end, throwing everything into the game in the last 20 minutes, but it was not meant to be. And so, the wait for an Indian football team to achieve Asian glory continues to this date.

#5 Bengaluru FC, AFC Cup 2017 Zonal playoff finalists

Attaining a group stage spot by lifting the I-League Trophy in 2015/16, Bengaluru FC were keen to go one better than last time, having been slotted alongside Mohun Bagan, Maldives' Maziya and Bangladesh's Abahani Limited. They began their campaign with a 2-1 victory against national rivals Mohun Bagan, thanks to goals from Sandesh Jhingan, on loan from Kerala Blasters, and Sunil Chhetri.

A stoppage-time winner from James Johnson against Maziya on the 4^th of April, the only goal of the match, gave The Blues a further three points, an encounter which turned out to be decisive eventually. Bengaluru FC then played Abahani Limited home and away and came off with a win and a loss respectively, the scoreline being 2-0 on both occasions. A second successive defeat followed, this time against the Mariners, and Bengaluru were left with the task of defeating Maziya in their final group game to qualify for the Inter-zone semi-finals spot.

Once again, it was the skipper, Sunil Chhetri, who stepped up to the plate. The highest Indian goal-scorer in International football curled a free kick from the edge of the box past the wall and into the top left corner to send his side through to the knockouts. Despite being level on points with their Maldivian opposition, Bengaluru went through on account of the head-to-head results in the group fixtures.

Chhetri opened the scoring for The Blues in the semi-finals as well. Facing off against North Korean club April 25 Sports Club at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore, the skipper gave the hosts the lead by chipping a penalty past keeper Ri Kang, who was guilty of giving the penalty away by fouling Udanta Singh inside the box. Udanta doubled the lead, capitalizing on a mis-pass from the North Korean outfit's defence. He then charged down the right and placed the ball into the bottom corner, without giving Ri Kang a chance.

Chhetri was instrumental in the third goal as well, as he made a 50-yard dash down the left flank before squaring it to Lenny Rodrigues, who slid over the muddy penalty box to complete the job. After the two teams played out a goalless draw in the return leg, Bengaluru FC went through to the playoff final where they'd face Tajikistan's FC Istiklol.

A flying header from Dmitry Barkov meant that The Blues, despite having a major chance to equalize in the latter stages, had to return home trailing by a goal to nil. The second leg started off with Nuriddin Davronov doubling Istiklol's lead on aggregate by converting from the spot after Gurpreet Sandhu tripped Fatkhullo Fatkhulloev inside the box.

An inch-perfect header from Rahul Bheke in the 24^th minute just about kept the hosts in the game, but Bengaluru was dealt with another setback right before the half-time whistle as Harmanjot Khabra was sent off after receiving a second yellow for a dreadful challenge. Some shambolic defending ensured that Istiklol got their second goal of the night, and despite Chhetri's successful penalty kick in the 65^th minute, The Blues were unable to progress, having lost the tie 2 goals to 3.

National Football team coach Manolo Marquez has decided to resign after team's poor performance against Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Manolo Marquez, who could not even beat a weak team like Hong Kong, which is 26th behind the Indian team in the FIFA rankings, mailed his resignation to the federation the night after the match. The federation has decided to officially announce the resignation of the national coach around Wednesday afternoon.

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India’s hopes of qualifying are now precarious

Indian men’s football has endured a challenging 18 months, marked by a single victory in 16 matches since the start of 2024. A 1-0 defeat to Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier on Tuesday exacerbated the situation, bringing the team’s struggles into sharp focus.

Fan discontent with head coach Igor Stimac’s successor, Manolo Marquez, have intensified after a string of demoralising losses, including three consecutive goalless games against Bangladesh, Thailand, and Hong Kong, leaving fans questioning the team’s ability. India’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Asia Cup are now precarious, and speculation surrounds Marquez’s future.

Marquez has not formally tendered his resignation

Rumours of Marquez’s potential resignation had already started doing the rounds as sources suggest that the Spaniard, who replaced Stimac in July 2024, is contemplating stepping down within a year of his appointment.

However, an All India Football Federation (AIFF) source confirmed Marquez has not formally tendered his resignation. The federation awaits official communication from him regarding his intentions but that too many not be simple.

“He can do so only after mutual agreement, that the AIFF gives him permission to part ways," an AIFF source said.

“We have not got any request in writing from Manolo that he wants to leave from the job. We can apply our mind only after he informs us what he wants," the source added.

India must win their remaining four matches

India must win their remaining four matches to maintain any hope of qualification, currently languishing at the bottom of their group. While home and away fixtures against Singapore are scheduled for the October international break, Marquez’s presence for those games remains uncertain.

Head coach Manolo Márquez announces 28-member Blue Tigers travelling squad for Thailand friendly on May 28, 2025. All the 28 players, who are currently a part of the ongoing camp in Kolkata, will travel to Thailand for the FIFA friendly for the June 4 fixture.

With a crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round on the horizon, the Indian Men's National Football Team is gearing up for a significant test. The squad will leave for Thailand on Wednesday evening for their friendly on June 4, at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani at 18:00 IST.

Subsequently, the team will depart for Hong Kong on the next day (June 5) for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round fixture.

Kolkata: The Blue Tigers' pre-Thailand training hub

The Blue Tigers' intensive training camp kicked off in Kolkata on May 19. The men in Blue underwent six full days of structured training and gym sessions. These were focused on refining patterns, defensive organisation, attacking transitions, and all other crucial elements for the gameplay.

A highlight of the camp was the inclusion of two practice matches:

• On May 26, the Blue Tigers faced Santosh Trophy Champions Bengal, securing a 2-1 victory. (goal scorers: Brandon Fernandes and Ashique Kuruniyan)
• On May 27, they faced North 24 Parganas, securing a 3-0 victory. (goal scorers: Sunil Chhetri, Chinglensana Singh Konsham and Udanta Singh Kumam)

Blue Tigers’ 28-member squad for the FIFA Friendly against Thailand

Goalkeepers: Hrithik Tiwari, Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet Singh, Amrinder Singh.

Defenders: Naorem Roshan Singh, Rahul Bheke, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Anwar Ali, Boris Singh Thangjam, Sandesh Jhingan, Asish Rai, Subhasish Bose, Mehtab Singh, Abhishek Singh Tekcham.

Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Udanta Singh Kumam, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Ashique Kuruniyan, Brandon Fernandes, Nikhil Prabhu.

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Edmund Lalrindika, Manvir Singh, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Lallianzuala Chhangte.

Head Coach: Manolo Márquez

Assistant Coach: Mahesh Gawali

Assistant Coach: Benito Montalvo

Goalkeeper Coach: Marc Gamon

Strength and Conditioning Coach: José Carlos Barroso

In a groundbreaking moment for Indian football, Rahul KP, the dynamic winger of Odisha FC, has been extended a prestigious invitation to represent English Premier League powerhouse West Ham United in the highly anticipated summer edition of The Soccer Tournament (TST), an elite 7 v 7 football competition featuring 48 teams from across the globe.

This is the first time in Indian football history that an Indian player will represent a top-division English Premier League club men’s team. This is a monumental achievement not only for Rahul's burgeoning career and Odisha FC but also for the continued growth and recognition of the state of Odisha and Indian football on the international stage.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 4 to June 9, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. The tournament boasts a diverse international roster, with participating teams and players hailing from countries including the United Kingdom, Spain, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, and India. The star-studded event will notably feature teams led by legendary footballers such as Luis Nani, Sergio Agüero, and Hope Solo.

Rahul KP will join a distinguished West Ham United squad that includes notable personalities like actor Hero Fiennes Tiffin, former Argentina international Mauro Zárate, and several professional athletes who have represented the United States in the World Indoor Football Cup.

The three group stage games featuring West Ham United will be broadcast live on YouTube channels. Additionally, these matches will be televised live on ESPN.

The AFC Champions League (ACL), Asia’s premier club football competition, has been a stage for unforgettable moments and fierce rivalries since its inception in 1967. From Hapoel Tel Aviv’s inaugural triumph to Al-Ahli’s recent success in 2024-25, the tournament has crowned champions from diverse nations, showcasing Asia's footballing prowess. Here is an overview of the ACL winners from 1967 to 2025.

CAPTAIN ROBERTO FIRMINO!!!

Bobby Firmino lifts the AFC Champions League with Al-Alhi after assisting both goals in the Final. He also won Player of the Tournament registering 13 G/A in 10 starts!

🇧🇷🏆❤️ pic.twitter.com/apBaRtCaKR

— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) May 3, 2025

AFC Champions League Winners List

Early Years: Israeli and Iranian Dominance (1967–1971)

The ACL, initially known as the Asian Champion Club Tournament, saw Israeli clubs dominate early on, with Hapoel Tel Aviv (1967) and Maccabi Tel Aviv (1969, 1971) winning three of the first four titles. Taj Tehran (1970) marked Iran’s first success in the tournament.

• 1967: Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel) defeated Selangor (Malaysia)
• 1969: Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) defeated Yangzee FC (South Korea)
• 1970: Taj Tehran (Iran) defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel)
• 1971: Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) defeated Aliyat Al-Shorta (Iraq)

The tournament was cancelled in the 1972 season for various reasons, and till 1985, the tournament did not take place. In the 1985 season, the tournament returned with a rebranded name, "Asian Club Championship".

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Resurgence and East Asian Rise (1985–1999)

When the competition resumed in 1985, South Korean and Japanese clubs emerged as powerhouses. Daewoo Royals (1985–86), Furukawa Electric (1986), and Yomiuri FC (1987) set the tone, while Pohang Steelers (1996–97, 1997–98) and Jubilo Iwata (1998–99) solidified East Asia’s dominance.

• 1985–86: Daewoo Royals (South Korea) defeated Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia)
• 1986: Furukawa Electric (Japan) defeated Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
• 1987: Yomiuri FC (Japan) defeated Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
• 1988–89: Al-Sadd (Qatar) defeated Al-Rasheed (Iraq)
• 1989–90: Liaoning (China) defeated Nissan Yokohama FC (Japan)
• 1990–91: Esteghlal (Iran) defeated Liaoning (China)
• 1991: Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) defeated Esteghlal (Iran)
• 1992–93: PAS Tehran (Iran) defeated Al-Shabab (Saudi Arabia)
• 1993–94: Thai Farmers Bank (Thailand) defeated Oman Club (Oman)
• 1994–95: Thai Farmers Bank (Thailand) defeated Al-Arabi (Qatar)
• 1995: Ilhwa Chunma (South Korea) defeated Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia)
• 1996–97: Pohang Steelers (South Korea) defeated Cheonan Ilhwa Chunma (South Korea)
• 1997–98: Pohang Steelers (South Korea) defeated Dalian Wanda (China)
• 1998–99: Jubilo Iwata (Japan) defeated Esteghlal (Iran)
• 1999–2000: Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) defeated Jubilo Iwata (Japan)

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Modern Era: South Korea, Japan, and Saudi Arabia Shine (2000–2022)

The 21st century saw South Korean clubs like Suwon Samsung Bluewings (2000–01, 2001–02), Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2006, 2016), and Ulsan Hyundai (2012, 2020) dominate, alongside Japanese giants Urawa Red Diamonds (2007, 2017, 2022).

Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad (2004, 2005) and Al-Hilal (2019, 2021) also claimed multiple titles, while Al-Ain (2002–03, 2023–24) and Guangzhou Evergrande (2013, 2015) added to the UAE and China’s tally.

• 2000–01: Suwon Samsung Bluewings (South Korea) defeated Jubilo Iwata (Japan)
• 2001–02: Suwon Samsung Bluewings (South Korea) defeated Anyang LG Cheetahs (South Korea)
• 2002–03: Al-Ain (UAE) defeated BEC Tero Sasana (Thailand)
• 2004: Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) defeated Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (South Korea)
• 2005: Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) defeated Al-Ain (UAE)
• 2006: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (South Korea) defeated Al-Karamah (Syria)
• 2007: Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) defeated Sepahan (Iran)
• 2008: Gamba Osaka (Japan) defeated Adelaide United (Australia)
• 2009: Pohang Steelers (South Korea) defeated Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia)
• 2010: Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (South Korea) defeated Zob Ahan (Iran)
• 2011: Al-Sadd (Qatar) defeated Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (South Korea)
• 2012: Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea) defeated Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia)
• 2013: Guangzhou Evergrande (China) defeated FC Seoul (South Korea)
• 2014: Western Sydney Wanderers (Australia) defeated Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
• 2015: Guangzhou Evergrande (China) defeated Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia)
• 2016: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (South Korea) defeated Al-Ain (UAE)
• 2017: Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) defeated Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
• 2018: Kashima Antlers (Japan) defeated Persepolis (Iran)
• 2019: Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) defeated Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
• 2020: Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea) defeated Persepolis (Iran)
• 2021: Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) defeated Pohang Steelers (South Korea)
• 2022: Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) defeated Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia)

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Recent Glory: UAE and Saudi Arabia Triumph (2023–2025)

Al-Ain in the 2023–24 reclaimed glory for the UAE, defeating Yokohama F. Marinos. Al-Ahli in the 2024–25 season ended Saudi Arabia’s title drought with a victory over Kawasaki Frontale, reinforcing the region’s competitive edge.

• 2023–24: Al-Ain (UAE) defeated Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan)
• 2024–25: Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) defeated Kawasaki Frontale (Japan)

Dominant Clubs and Nations

1. South Korea: They lead with 12 titles. Pohang Steelers (3), Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2), Ulsan Hyundai (2), and Suwon Samsung Bluewings (2) are the most successful clubs from South Korea.
2. Japan: Japan have 8 titles, with Urawa Red Diamonds (3) and single wins from Jubilo Iwata, Gamba Osaka, Kashima Antlers, and others.
3. Saudi Arabia: Saudi have 7 titles, with Al-Hilal (4), Al-Ittihad (2), and Al-Ahli (1) winning the most for them
4. Iran, UAE, China: Each has 4 titles, with notable contributions from Esteghlal, Al-Ain, and Guangzhou Evergrande.
5. Thailand, Qatar, Israel: Each secured 2 titles, with Thai Farmers Bank, Al-Sadd, and Maccabi Tel Aviv standing out.

Most successful clubs in AFC Champions League History

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) celebrated the best of Indian football at the AIFF Awards 2025, held today in Bhubaneswar, honouring outstanding players, coaches, referees, and member associations for their contributions during the 2024-25 season.

The ceremony highlighted the growing competitiveness of Indian football, with Mohun Bagan SG’s Subhasish Bose and East Bengal FC’s Soumya Guguloth crowned Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year, respectively. 

AIFF Awards 2025 Winners

Individual Awards

• Men's Player of the Year: Subhasish Bose (Mohun Bagan SG, Defender)
  • Recognised for his leadership as captain and stellar performances for Mohun Bagan SG as the mariners became the first team to defend the ISL Shield, along with reclaiming the ISL Cup. Bose kept 13 clean sheets as a defender and scored 6 goals as well. 
• Women's Player of the Year: Soumya Guguloth (East Bengal FC, Forward)
  • Honoured as the top Indian scorer in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) and a key player for the Blue Tigresses. She helped East Bengal FC win the IWL 2024-25 title.
• Men's Goalkeeper of the Year: Vishal Kaith (Mohun Bagan SG)
  • Awarded for holding the record for the most clean sheets in Indian Super League (ISL) history. Kaith had a record 15 clean sheets in ISL 2024-25 and conceded only 19 goals across 26 appearances
• Most Promising Men's Player of the Year: Brison Fernandes (Midfielder)
  • Noted for his midfield mastery and potential as a rising star.
• Most Promising Women's Player of the Year: Neha (Haryana, Winger)
  • Recognised for her performances, including 2 goals in the SAFF U19 Women’s Championship and 3 goals in the Senior Women’s National Championship.
• Men's Coach of the Year: Khalid Jamil (Jamshedpur FC)
  • Won for the second consecutive year for leading Jamshedpur FC to the Kalinga Super Cup semifinals.
• Women's Coach of the Year: Sujata Kar (Sreebhumi FC)
  • Awarded for guiding newly-promoted Sreebhumi FC to a third-place finish in the IWL.
• Male Referee of the Year: Venkatesh R
  • Acknowledged for consistent officiating on the pitch.
• Female Referee of the Year: Tekcham Ranjita Devi
  • Recognised for her officiating excellence.
• Male Referee of the Year: Venkatesh R
• Male Assistant Referee of the Year: Vairamuthu P

Member Association (MA) Awards

• Most Successful MA (Club Competitions): Indian Football Association (West Bengal)
  • For dominance in men’s competitions, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal winning major titles.
• Most Successful MA (NFC Competitions): All Manipur Football Association
  • Recognised for success in the National Football Championships.
• Best MA for Supporting Women’s Football: Punjab Football Association
  • Honoured for contributions to women’s football development.
• Best MA for Hosting Most AIFF Competitions: Football Association of Odisha and Goa Football Association
  • For hosting numerous AIFF events.
• MA with Most Player Registrations (Men’s): Kerala Football Association
  • For the highest number of male player registrations.
• MA with Most Player Registrations (Women’s): Western India Football Association (Maharashtra)
  • For leading in female player registrations.
• Special Award for MA Launching New Projects: Gujarat State Football Association
  • For innovative football initiatives.
• MA with Most Grassroots Activities: Gujarat State Football Association
  • For extensive grassroots programs.
• MA with Most Youth Tournaments Conducted: Karnataka State Football Association
  • For organising numerous youth tournaments.
• MA with Most Coaching Courses: Punjab Football Association
  • For conducting the most coaching courses.
• MA with Most Refereeing Courses: Gujarat State Football Association
  • For leading in referee training programs.