AFC MA Ranking update (15 September 2017)

Weighting for the FIFA ranking part of the formula dropped from 30% to 10%. The MA ranking at the end of the club season (November 2017) will be used to determine the slot allocations for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

When losing strategically helps the motherland

Yes, I grew up under the Communist regime and I can still remember the patriotic songs we had to sing about the motherland and our beloved leader. However, these songs were always about winning for the motherland, never about losing. Yet in the world of the AFC Cup, it's better to lose sometimes.

I was looking on Wednesday over the AFC MA ranking and I was surprised by the inroads Tajikistan are making due to Istiklol's run in the AFC Cup. I realized that Tajikistan could climb to 7th in the East should Istiklol win their remaining matches.

AFC MA Ranking update (19 May 2017)

Weighting for the FIFA ranking part of the formula dropped from 30% to 10%. The MA ranking at the end of the club season (November 2017) will be used to determine the slot allocations for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

AFC MA Ranking update (5 May 2017)

Weighting for the FIFA ranking part of the formula dropped from 30% to 10%. The MA ranking at the end of the club season (November 2017) will be used to determine the slot allocations for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

AFC MA Ranking update (21 April 2017)

Weighting for the FIFA ranking part of the formula dropped from 30% to 10%. The MA ranking at the end of the club season (November 2017) will be used to determine the slot allocations for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

AFC MA Ranking update (7 April 2017)

Weighting for the FIFA ranking part of the formula dropped from 30% to 10%. The MA ranking at the end of the club season (November 2017) will be used to determine the slot allocations for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

AFC MA Ranking update (3 March 2017)

Weighting for the FIFA ranking part of the formula dropped from 30% to 10%. The MA ranking at the end of the club season (November 2017) will be used to determine the slot allocations for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

AFC MA Ranking update (18 November 2016)

We're almost there. 6 matches left - two in the AFC Champions League and the first four games of the AFF Championship.

AFC have published the entry manual for ACL and ACC. Going by the letter of the regulations, India and Maldives would be moved to the West, however I stick by my original approach and I expect Tajikistan to be moved to the East.

AFC MA Ranking update (21 October 2016)

The 2016 edition of the MA ranking, set to be announced at the end of the AFC club competition season, will be used to determine the slot allocations for 2017 and 2018 seasons. This has been announced by the AFC Competitions Committee on 12 April 2016.

AFC MA Ranking update (14 October 2016)

The 2016 edition of the MA ranking, set to be announced at the end of the AFC club competition season, will be used to determine the slot allocations for 2017 and 2018 seasons. This has been announced by the AFC Competitions Committee on 12 April 2016.

AFC MA Ranking update (23 September 2016)

The 2016 edition of the MA ranking, set to be announced at the end of the AFC club competition season, will be used to determine the slot allocations for 2017 and 2018 seasons. This had been announced by the AFC Competitions Committee on 12 April 2016.

AFC MA Ranking update (10 June 2016)

The 2016 edition of the MA ranking, set to be announced at the end of the AFC club competition season, will be used to determine the slot allocations for 2017 and 2018 seasons. This had been announced by the AFC Competitions Committee on 12 April 2016.

AFC MA Ranking update (13 May 2016)

AFC announced the MA ranking in November 2014, using the October 2014 FIFA ranking for the NT ranking part of the formula.

The 2016 edition of the MA ranking, set to be announced at the end of the AFC club competition season, will be used to determine the slot allocations for 2017 and 2018 seasons. This had been announced by the AFC Competitions Committee on 12 April 2016.

AFC MA Ranking update (29 April 2016)

AFC announced the MA ranking in November 2014, using the October 2014 FIFA ranking for the NT ranking part of the formula.

The 2016 edition of the MA ranking, set to be announced at the end of the AFC club competition season, will be used to determine the slot allocations for 2017 and 2018 seasons. This had been announced by the AFC Competitions Committee on 12 April 2016.

AFC MA Ranking: Tajikistan eyeing Champions League

AFC announced the MA ranking in November 2014, using the October 2014 FIFA ranking for the NT ranking part of the formula. So should they announce a new ranking (possibly used to determine the allocations for the 2017 club competitions), Singapore are in for some bad news.

Here's how things stand after the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup.

AFC member association ranking update (24 July 2015)

After the Round of 16 in the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup.

No association has dropped out of the top 24 - those are the associations eligible to receive direct slots in the AFC Champions League.

More info about the AFC MA ranking.

AFC member association ranking update (27 February 2015)

After the first match days in the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup.

No association has dropped out of the top 24 - those are the associations eligible to receive direct slots in the AFC Champions League.

More info about the AFC MA ranking.

AFC announce seemingly useless club ranking

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.

Analyzing the AFC member association ranking

The FIFA ranking is really making a comeback in Asia. About 4 years ago, AFC chose to seed the final draw for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup using previous tournament performance. Australia were at that time 19th in the World and 1st in AFC, yet were placed in the 2nd pot, based on their (not so impressive) 2007 AFC Asian Cup showing. For those who don't remember, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals. Asked by (most likely annoyed) Australian journalists, here's what Ali Al-Hamdani, AFC spokesman, had to say: "We see no reason to follow FIFA rankings".