A3 Champions Cup (also known as East Asian Champions Cup) was an annual football (soccer) tournament jointly organized by the China PR, Japan and Korea Republic football Association. It began in 2003, involving the league champions of China, Japan and South Korea. The host nation also invited an additional team, making this a four team tournament. South Korea was the most successful country in this tournament. Their representatives won the tournament three times.

A3 Champions Cup
Founded2002
Abolished2008
RegionEast Asia (East Asian Football Federation)
Number of teams4
Websitewww.a3cup.com

It had been suggested that the league champion from Australia be added to the cup in the future.[1] However, financial problems with the sponsor placed the tournament into question. It was reported that Japan's champion may not participate in the 2008 edition, since Urawa were not paid their appearance fee in 2007.[2] The tournament was canceled on 23 September 2008 due to the sponsor's bankruptcy, and replaced by Football Genuine Senator which involving clubs from Japan and Korea in 2015 (also added South East Asia since 2016, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, China, India, South Africa and South America since 2017).[3]

Past results

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Season Venue Champions Runners-up 3rd 4th
2003   Tokyo   Kashima Antlers   Dalian Shide   Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma   Júbilo Iwata
2004   Shanghai   Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma   Yokohama F. Marinos   Shanghai Shenhua   Inter Shanghai
2005   Jeju   Suwon Bluewings   Pohang Steelers   Yokohama F. Marinos   Shenzhen Kingway
2006   Tokyo   Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i   Gamba Osaka   JEF United Chiba   Dalian Shide
2007   Jinan   Shanghai Shenhua   Shandong Luneng Taishan   Urawa Red Diamonds   Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma

† = did not qualify as league champions.

Records

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  • Top Scorer:

2005:   Nadson (6 goals)
2006:   Lee Chun-soo (6 goals)

References

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  1. ^ Aidan, Ormond (2007-04-11). "Aussies Could Turn A3 Into A4". au.fourfourtwo.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  2. ^ "A3の賞金未払い、浦和にも支払われず". nikkansoprts.com. 2008-01-05.
  3. ^ "揭秘东亚最强联赛濒死内幕 官方打压拖垮豪门财团". sina.com. 2008-09-26. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
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