Japan tops AFC Champions League assessments

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has ranked Japan's J-League overall top and Australia's A-League in the bottom four of the 11 major leagues in Asia.

Last September, an AFC fact-finding team visited Australia to undertake an analysis of the A-League as part of an eleven league AFC Champions League assessment report across the confederation.

The results of the 'General Assessments Report' show that Japan topped the pool in virtually all categories.

The J-League was clear winner in the overall rankings ahead of Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia then Qatar. The A-League in eighth place was one spot behind the UAE league in seventh, China in sixth and Iran in fifth.

The A-League only just edged out Uzbekistan in ninth spot with Thailand and Indonesia's ISL ranked in 10th and 11th respectively.

Australia ranked bottom in the categories of 'Organisation', 'Governance/Soundness', 'Number Of Clubs In Top Division' and 'Duration Of Entire Season'.

In the two areas of 'Infrastructure/Logistics" and 'Total Income Of The League', the A-League was rated as second worst.

However, in a surprise result, the A-League was ranked third best in the category of 'Marketing And Promotions'. It also rated third best in 'Technical Standard' and 'Attendances'.

Overall though, the report would appear to cast doubt over the chances of Australia increasing its Asian Champions League spots from two to three, even with the advent of the FFA Cup and the expansion from eight clubs to ten since the last assessment.

The Assessment Report can be read at http://images.the-afc.com/Documents/2011/smt/General_Assessment_Report.pdf 

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