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2013 AFC Cup
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2013 AFC Cup
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2013 AFC Cup
Tournament details
Dates9 February – 2 November 2013
Teams34 (from 17 associations)
Final positions
ChampionsKuwait Al-Kuwait (3rd title)
Runners-upKuwait Al-Qadsia
Tournament statistics
Matches played118
Goals scored409 (3.47 per match)
Attendance504,544 (4,276 per match)
Top scorerTunisia Issam Jemâa (16 goals)
Best playerKuwait Bader Al-Mutawa
← 2012
2014 →

The 2013 AFC Cup was the tenth edition of the AFC Cup, a football competition organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for clubs from "developing countries" in Asia.[1]

In an all-Kuwait final, defending champions Al-Kuwait defeated Al-Qadsia 2–0 to win their third AFC Cup title in five years, becoming the first team to win the AFC Cup three times.[2] Both finalists also qualified for the 2014 AFC Champions League.

Association team allocation

[edit]

The AFC laid out the procedure for deciding the participating associations and the allocation of slots, with the final decision to be made by the AFC in November 2012.[3] The following changes to the list of participating associations may be made from the 2012 AFC Cup if the AFC approved the following applications made by any association:

  • An association originally participating in the AFC Cup may apply to participate in the 2013 AFC Champions League. An association may participate in both the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup if it only partially fulfills the AFC Champions League criteria.
  • An association originally participating in the AFC President's Cup may apply to participate in the 2013 AFC Cup.

The following changes in the participating associations were made compared to the previous year:

  • Losers of the AFC Champions League qualifying play-off did not participate in the AFC Cup.
  • Tajikistan clubs' participation was upgraded from the AFC President's Cup to the AFC Cup starting from 2013 by the AFC.[4]

Each participating association was given two entries:

  • Team 1 (league champions) of each association directly entered the group stage.
  • Team 2 (cup winners or league runners-up) of each association either directly entered the group stage or entered the qualifying play-off, depending on the evaluation by the AFC.

Teams

[edit]

The following teams entered the competition.

Al-Muharraq (Bahrain) withdrew after the draw was held. As a result, Regar-TadAZ (Tajikistan), which were initially to enter the qualifying play-off, instead directly entered the group stage, and only two teams participated in the qualifying play-off.

Notes
  1. ^
    India (IND): Dempo, the 2011–12 I-League champions, refused to enter the 2013 AFC Cup, so they were replaced by Churchill Brothers, the 2011–12 I-League 3rd place.[6]
  2. ^
    Malaysia (MAS): Although Selangor only finished third in the 2012 Malaysia Super League, they were awarded the second AFC Cup spot by virtue of the league runners-up being LionsXII, a side managed by the Football Association of Singapore, and thus ineligible to represent Malaysia in continental competition.
class=notpageimage|
Location of teams of the 2013 AFC Cup.
West Asia Zone
East Asia Zone
(q) Qualifying play-off participants

Schedule

[edit]

The schedule of the competition was as follows (all draws held at AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).[7]

Phase Round Draw date First leg Second leg
Qualifying play-off Round 1 6 December 2012 9 February 2013
Group stage Matchday 1 5–6 March 2013
Matchday 2 12–13 March 2013
Matchday 3 2–3 April 2013
Matchday 4 9–10 April 2013
Matchday 5 23–24 April 2013
Matchday 6 30 April–1 May 2013
Knock-out stage Round of 16 14–15 May 2013
Quarter-finals 20 June 2013 17 September 2013 24 September 2013
Semi-finals 1 October 2013 22 October 2013
Final 2 November 2013

For 2013, the round of 16 continued to be played as a single match instead of over two legs on a home-and-away basis as originally planned.[8]

Qualifying play-off

[edit]
Main article: 2013 AFC Cup qualifying play-off

The draw for the qualifying play-off was held on 6 December 2012.[9] Each tie was played as a single match, with extra time and penalty shoot-out used to decide the winner if necessary. The winner advanced to the group stage to join the 31 automatic qualifiers.[1]

Due to the withdrawal of Al-Muharraq after the draw was held, Regar-TadAZ, which were initially drawn to play the winner between Al-Wahda and Al-Ahli Taizz for a place in the group stage, were directly entered into Group A, while the winner between Al-Wahda and Al-Ahli Taizz would be entered into Group B to replace Al-Muharraq.[10]

Team 1  Score  Team 2
Al-Wahda Syria 3–5 Yemen Al-Ahli Taizz

Group stage

[edit]
Main article: 2013 AFC Cup group stage

The draw for the group stage was held on 6 December 2012.[9] The 32 teams were drawn into eight groups of four. Teams from the same association could not be drawn into the same group. Each group was played on a home-and-away round-robin basis. The winners and runners-up of each group advanced to the round of 16.

Tiebreakers

The teams are ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss). If tied on points, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[1]

  1. Greater number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned
  2. Goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned
  3. Greater number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned (away goals do not apply)
  4. Goal difference in all the group matches
  5. Greater number of goals scored in all the group matches
  6. Penalty shoot-out if only two teams are involved and they are both on the field of play
  7. Fewer score calculated according to the number of yellow and red cards received in the group matches (1 point for a single yellow card, 3 points for a red card as a consequence of two yellow cards, 3 points for a direct red card, 4 points for a yellow card followed by a direct red card)
  8. Drawing of lots

Group A

[edit]

Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts KUW RIF SFA REG
Kuwait Al-Kuwait 6 4 0 2 15 6 +9 12 2–3 3–1 5–0
Bahrain Al-Riffa 6 3 1 2 9 6 +3 10 0–2 2–0 1–1
Lebanon Safa 6 3 1 2 7 8 −1 10 1–0 1–0 1–1
Tajikistan Regar-TadAZ 6 0 2 4 5 16 −11 2 1–3 0–3 2–3
Source: [citation needed]
Tiebreakers
  • Al-Riffa are ranked ahead of Safa on head-to-head record.

Group B

[edit]

Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts ERB FAN ANS ATA
Iraq Erbil 6 6 0 0 17 0 +17 18 1–0 2–0 4–0
Oman Fanja 6 3 1 2 9 6 +3 10 0–4 4–0 3–1
Lebanon Al-Ansar 6 2 1 3 7 9 −2 7 0–2 0–0 5–1
Yemen Al-Ahli Taizz 6 0 0 6 2 20 −18 0 0–4 0–2 0–2
Source: [citation needed]

Group C

[edit]

Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts FAI DUH DHO SIB
Jordan Al-Faisaly 6 4 1 1 9 5 +4 13 1–0 2–3 2–1
Iraq Dohuk 6 4 0 2 14 6 +8 12 0–1 6–1 2–1
Oman Dhofar 6 3 1 2 8 12 −4 10 1–1 1–3 1–0
Yemen Al-Shaab Ibb 6 0 0 6 3 11 −8 0 0–2 1–3 0–1
Source: [citation needed]

Group D

[edit]

Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts QAD SHO RAM RAV
Kuwait Al-Qadsia 6 4 1 1 13 4 +9 13 0–1 2–2 3–0
Syria Al-Shorta 6 4 0 2 8 5 +3 12 0–2 0–1 2–0
Jordan Al-Ramtha 6 3 1 2 10 7 +3 10 0–3 1–2 5–0
Tajikistan Ravshan Kulob 6 0 0 6 2 17 −15 0 1–3 1–3 0–1
Source: [citation needed]

Group E

[edit]

Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts SP KIT CHB WAR
Indonesia Semen Padang 6 5 1 0 15 6 +9 16 3–1 3–1 3–1
Hong Kong Kitchee 6 4 0 2 18 7 +11 12 1–2 3–0 5–0
India Churchill Brothers 6 1 1 4 6 13 −7 4 2–2 0–4 3–0
Singapore Warriors 6 1 0 5 4 17 −13 3 0–2 2–4 1–0
Source: [citation needed]

Group F

[edit]

Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts NRA YAN SH PSB
Maldives New Radiant 6 5 0 1 20 4 +16 15 3–1 1–0 6–1
Myanmar Yangon United 6 5 0 1 18 5 +13 15 2–0 2–0 3–0
Hong Kong Sunray Cave JC Sun Hei 6 1 1 4 12 12 0 4 0–3 1–3 8–0
Indonesia Persibo Bojonegoro 6 0 1 5 5 34 −29 1 0–7 1–7 3–3
Source: [citation needed]
Tiebreakers
  • New Radiant and Yangon United are tied on head-to-head record, and so are ranked by overall goal difference.

Group G

[edit]

Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts KEL DN MAZ AYE
Malaysia Kelantan 6 4 1 1 14 9 +5 13 5–0 1–1 3–1
Vietnam SHB Đà Nẵng 6 4 0 2 11 12 −1 12 0–1 3–1 2–1
Maldives Maziya 6 2 1 3 13 12 +1 7 6–1 2–3 3–1
Myanmar Ayeyawady United 6 1 0 5 9 14 −5 3 1–3 2–3 3–0
Source: [citation needed]

Group H

[edit]

Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts KEB SEL SG TPR
India East Bengal 6 4 2 0 13 6 +7 14 1–0 4–1 2–1
Malaysia Selangor 6 2 2 2 12 11 +1 8 2–2 3–1 3–3
Vietnam Sài Gòn Xuân Thành 6 2 2 2 9 12 −3 8 0–0 2–1 2–2
Singapore Tampines Rovers 6 0 2 4 12 17 −5 2 2–4 2–3 2–3
Source: [citation needed]
Tiebreakers
  • Selangor are ranked ahead of Sài Gòn Xuân Thành on head-to-head record.

Knock-out stage

[edit]
Main article: 2013 AFC Cup knock-out stage

In the knock-out stage, the 16 teams played a single-elimination tournament. In the quarter-finals and semi-finals, each tie was played on a home-and-away two-legged basis, while in the round of 16 and final, each tie was played as a single match. The away goals rule (for two-legged ties), extra time (away goals do not apply in extra time) and penalty shoot-out were used to decide the winner if necessary.[1]

Bracket

[edit]
Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
            
Kuwait Al-Qadsia 4
Oman Fanja 0
Kuwait Al-Qadsia (a) 0 2 2
Syria Al-Shorta 0 2 2
Iraq Erbil 3
Syria Al-Shorta (a.e.t.) 4
Kuwait Al-Qadsia 2 1 3
Jordan Al-Faisaly 1 0 1
Malaysia Kelantan 0
Hong Kong Kitchee 2
Hong Kong Kitchee 1 1 2
Jordan Al-Faisaly 2 2 4
Jordan Al-Faisaly 3
Bahrain Al-Riffa 1
Kuwait Al-Qadsia 0
Kuwait Al-Kuwait 2
Maldives New Radiant (a.e.t.) 2
Malaysia Selangor 0
Maldives New Radiant 2 0 2
Kuwait Al-Kuwait 7 5 12
Kuwait Al-Kuwait (p) 1 (4)
Iraq Dohuk 1 (1)
Kuwait Al-Kuwait 4 3 7
India East Bengal 2 0 2
India East Bengal 5
Myanmar Yangon United 1
India East Bengal 1 1 2
Indonesia Semen Padang 0 1 1
Indonesia Semen Padang 2
Vietnam SHB Đà Nẵng 1

Round of 16

[edit]

In the round of 16, the winners of one group played the runners-up of another group in the same zone, with the group winners hosting the match.[1]

Team 1  Score  Team 2
West Asia Zone
Al-Kuwait Kuwait 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–1 p) 		Iraq Dohuk
Al-Faisaly Jordan 3–1 Bahrain Al-Riffa
Erbil Iraq 3–4 (a.e.t.) Syria Al-Shorta
Al-Qadsia Kuwait 4–0 Oman Fanja
East Asia Zone
Semen Padang Indonesia 2–1 Vietnam SHB Đà Nẵng
Kelantan Malaysia 0–2 Hong Kong Kitchee
New Radiant Maldives 2–0 (a.e.t.) Malaysia Selangor
East Bengal India 5–1 Myanmar Yangon United

Quarter-finals

[edit]

The draw for the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final (to decide the host team) was held on 20 June 2013.[11] In this draw, teams from different zones could play each other, and the "country protection" rule was applied: if there are two teams from the same association, they may not play each other in the quarter-finals.

Team 1 Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg
Al-Qadsia Kuwait 2–2 (a) Syria Al-Shorta 0–0 2–2
Kitchee Hong Kong 2–4 Jordan Al-Faisaly 1–2 1–2
New Radiant Maldives 2–12 Kuwait Al-Kuwait 2–7 0–5
East Bengal India 2–1 Indonesia Semen Padang 1–0 1–1

Semi-finals

[edit]
Team 1 Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg
Al-Qadsia Kuwait 3–1 Jordan Al-Faisaly 2–1 1–0
Al-Kuwait Kuwait 7–2 India East Bengal 4–2 3–0

Final

[edit]
Main article: 2013 AFC Cup Final
Al-Qadsia Kuwait0–2Kuwait Al-Kuwait
Report Rogerinho 52'
Jemâa 64'
Attendance: 10,000

Awards

[edit]
Award Player Team
Most Valuable Player[12] Kuwait Bader Al-Mutawa Kuwait Al-Qadsia
Top Goalscorer[13] Tunisia Issam Jemâa Kuwait Al-Kuwait

Top scorers

[edit]
Rank Player Team MD1 MD2 MD3 MD4 MD5 MD6 R16 QF1 QF2 SF1 SF2 F Total
1 Tunisia Issam Jemâa Kuwait Al-Kuwait 2 2 2 4 3 2 1 16
2 Spain Jordi Tarrés Hong Kong Kitchee 2 2 1 1 1 3 1 1 12
3 Liberia Edward Wilson Indonesia Semen Padang 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 10
4 Kuwait Bader Al-Mutawa Kuwait Al-Qadsia 1 2 2 1 1 2 9
Maldives Ali Ashfaq Maldives New Radiant 5 3 1 9
Ivory Coast Adama Koné Myanmar Yangon United 3 1 1 1 2 1 9
7 Syria Ahmad Al Douni Bahrain Al-Riffa (GS+R16)
Syria Al-Shorta (QF) 		3 1 1 1 1 7
Iraq Amjad Radhi Iraq Erbil 1 1 2 2 1 7
Brazil Rogerinho Kuwait Al-Kuwait 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7
10 Nigeria Chidi Edeh India East Bengal 1 1 1 3 6
Argentina Gastón Merlo Vietnam SHB Đà Nẵng 1 1 3 1 6
Maldives Mohamed Umair Maldives New Radiant 1 1 1 1 2 6

Note: Goals scored in qualifying play-off not counted.[14]

Source:[15][16]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2013 AFC Cup

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The 2013 AFC Cup was the tenth edition of Asia's premier secondary club competition, organized by the (AFC) for teams from member nations whose domestic leagues are ranked below the threshold for the AFC Champions League. Featuring clubs from across the continent, the tournament followed a structure of qualifying rounds leading into a group stage and subsequent knockout phases, with the final contested as a single match between Kuwaiti sides Al-Kuwait and Al-Qadsia on 2 November 2013 at Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium in . In a dominant performance, defending champions Al-Kuwait secured a 2–0 victory through goals from Rogerinho in the 52nd minute and Issam Jemaa in the 64th, claiming their third AFC Cup title and becoming the first club to achieve that feat. The competition highlighted Kuwaiti dominance in the event's history, as Al-Kuwait, having won in 2009 and 2012, overcame a challenging path that included victories over Dohuk (Iraq) in the round of 16, New Radiant (Maldives) in the quarter-finals, and East Bengal (India) in the semi-finals. Al-Qadsia, runners-up after eliminating Fanja (Oman), Al-Shorta (Syria), and Al-Faisaly (Jordan) en route to the final, marked the fourth consecutive year a Kuwaiti club reached the decider, underscoring the Gulf nation's strength in the tournament. Issam Jemaa emerged as the competition's top scorer with 16 goals, while Rogerinho contributed seven, powering Al-Kuwait's successful title defense. Overall, the 2013 edition involved over 30 teams from AFC member associations, primarily from , , , and , emphasizing the tournament's role in promoting football development in emerging markets. With 117 matches played across the season, it showcased high-scoring encounters averaging 3.43 goals per game and featured notable performances from underdog clubs, though Kuwait's supremacy defined the outcome.

Overview and format

Tournament format

The 2013 AFC Cup was the second-tier continental club football competition organized by the (AFC), featuring teams from developing member associations that did not qualify for the AFC Champions League. Eligible clubs were primarily winners of domestic leagues or competitions from lower-ranked AFC member associations, providing an opportunity for emerging teams to compete at a regional level. A total of 34 teams from 17 associations participated across all stages. The tournament structure comprised a qualifying play-off, a group stage, and a knockout phase. The qualifying play-off consisted of a single match between two teams, with the winner advancing to the group stage. The group stage involved 32 teams divided into eight groups of four, where each team played a double round-robin format (), totaling six matches per team. Teams earned three points for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss; tiebreakers were applied first by , then by goals scored, head-to-head results, and fair play points if necessary. The top two teams from each group advanced to the . In the knockout stage, 16 teams competed in a . The round of 16 was played as single matches at the home venue of the group winner, while the quarter-finals and semi-finals were contested over two legs on a home-and-away basis, with the applied in case of aggregate ties. The final was a single match at a neutral venue, with no third-place playoff held. For single-leg matches (round of 16 and final), if scores were level after regular time, extra time followed, and if needed, a penalty shoot-out determined the winner. For two-legged ties, if aggregates were level after both legs, the applied; if still tied, extra time and penalties were used in the second leg.

Schedule and draw

The schedule for the 2013 AFC Cup featured the qualifying play-off on 9 February 2013, followed by the group stage running from 26 February to 1 May 2013, and the knockout phase from 14 May to 2 November 2013. The group stage draw took place on 5 December 2012 at the AFC headquarters in , . Teams were seeded into four pots based on the AFC club rankings, with Pot 1 comprising the top eight ranked clubs, and Pots 2 through 4 containing the remaining teams allocated by ranking and association to ensure balanced representation across regions. The final was announced to be held at Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium in on 2 November 2013.

Qualification

Team allocation

The team allocation for the 2013 AFC Cup was determined by the (AFC) using a four-year ranking system for member associations, covering performances in AFC club competitions from 2010 to 2013, with higher-ranked associations granted direct entry to the group stage. Under this system, the top eight ranked associations each received two slots for direct participation, while the next nine associations were allocated one slot each, totaling 26 direct entries from those 17 associations; the remaining slots were filled by teams from associations ranked lower, including those dropping out from AFC Champions League qualifying and the winner of a qualifying play-off among the lowest-ranked associations, bringing the group stage to 32 teams. The specific slot distribution was as follows:
AssociationSlots
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1 (play-off)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
This allocation involved 17 member associations in total. Within each association, slots were typically awarded to the domestic cup winners and league runners-up, with priority given to teams eliminated from AFC Champions League qualifying if applicable; associations were required to ensure participating clubs met minimum AFC eligibility standards, including licensing requirements.

Qualifying play-offs

The qualifying play-off for the 2013 AFC Cup consisted of a single match to determine the final entrant into the group stage, pitting Al-Wahda of —the lowest-ranked direct qualifier based on the AFC's four-year club ranking—against Al-Ahli Taizz of , who entered as the play-off representative from the zone. The match took place on 9 February 2013 at Prince Mohammed Stadium in , , selected as a neutral venue due to security concerns in and . Al-Ahli Taizz secured a 5–3 victory, qualifying for the group stage and replacing the withdrawn Al-Muharraq, joining .

Participating teams

By association

The participating teams in the 2013 AFC Cup were drawn from 17 AFC member associations, with most associations contributing two teams based on the tournament's allocation system, and two additional teams entering via the qualifying play-off. The teams are grouped below by association in , with their qualification method through domestic competitions and entry status noted. Bahrain (1 team) Hong Kong (2 teams)
  • Kitchee: 2011–12 Hong Kong First Division League champions, direct entry to group stage.
  • Sun Hei: 2011–12 Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield winners, direct entry to group stage.
India (2 teams)
  • Churchill Brothers: 2011–12 3rd place (replaced withdrawn team), direct entry to group stage.
  • : 2011–12 2nd place (2012 Federation Cup winners), direct entry to group stage.
Indonesia (2 teams)
  • Persibo Bojonegoro: 2012 winners, direct entry to group stage.
  • Semen Padang: 2011–12 Indonesia Super League champions, direct entry to group stage.
Iraq (2 teams)
  • Duhok SC: 2011–12 Iraq FA Cup winners, direct entry to group stage.
  • Erbil SC: 2011–12 Iraqi Premier League champions, direct entry to group stage.
Jordan (2 teams)
  • Al-Faisaly Amman: 2011–12 Jordan FA Cup winners, direct entry to group stage.
  • Al-Ramtha: 2011–12 Jordan FA Shield winners, direct entry to group stage.
Kuwait (2 teams)
  • Al-Kuwait SC: 2011–12 Kuwait Emir Cup winners, direct entry to group stage.
  • Qadsia SC: 2011–12 Kuwait Premier League champions, direct entry to group stage.
Lebanon (2 teams)
  • Al-Ansar: 2011–12 Lebanese FA Cup winners, direct entry to group stage.
  • Safa Beirut SC: 2011–12 Lebanese Premier League runners-up, direct entry to group stage.
Malaysia (2 teams)
  • Kelantan FA: 2011–12 Malaysia FA Cup winners, direct entry to group stage.
  • Selangor FC: 2011–12 Malaysia Super League champions, direct entry to group stage.
Maldives (2 teams)
  • : 2012 Dhivehi League runners-up, direct entry to group stage.
  • : 2012 Dhivehi League champions, direct entry to group stage.
Myanmar (2 teams)
  • Ayeyawady United: 2011–12 Myanmar National League 3rd place, direct entry to group stage.
  • : 2011–12 Myanmar National League champions, direct entry to group stage.
Oman (2 teams)
  • Dhofar Club: 2011–12 Oman FA Cup winners, direct entry to group stage.
  • Fanja SC: 2011–12 Oman Mobile League champions, direct entry to group stage.
Singapore (2 teams)
  • Tampines Rovers: 2011 S.League champions, direct entry to group stage.
  • Warriors FC: 2012 Singapore Cup winners, direct entry to group stage.
Syria (1 team)
  • : 2011–12 Syrian Cup winners, direct entry to group stage.
Tajikistan (2 teams) Vietnam (2 teams)
  • SHB Da Nang FC: 2011–12 V-League 3rd place, direct entry to group stage.
  • Xuan Thanh Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City FC): 2011–12 Vietnamese Cup winners, direct entry to group stage.
Yemen (2 teams)
  • Al-Ahli Taizz SC: 2011–12 Yemeni President's Cup runners-up, qualifying play-off winner (defeated Al-Wahda SC), direct entry to group stage.
  • Shaab Ibb SCC: 2011–12 champions, direct entry to group stage.

By region

The 2013 AFC Cup showcased the confederation's geographic breadth, with 32 teams distributed across its five primary regions in the group stage, underscoring 's dominance while highlighting underrepresentation in other areas. , encompassing associations like , , , , , , , and , supplied the largest contingent of 14 teams, accounting for over 40% of participants and reflecting the region's robust club football infrastructure. Notable entrants included and Al-Qadsia from , and from , Al-Faisaly Amman and Al-Ramtha from , Al-Ansar and Safa from , Dhofar and Fanja from , Al-Shorta from , Al-Riffa from , and Al-Ahli Taizz and from . Southeast Asia followed with 10 teams, drawn from five associations and emphasizing the ASEAN sub-region's growing competitiveness in continental competitions. Representatives comprised Persibo Bojonegoro and Semen Padang from , FA and from , Ayeyawady United and United from , Tampines Rovers and from , and S.H.B. and Xuan Thanh Saigon from . South Asia contributed 4 teams, primarily from and the , illustrating moderate participation from the subcontinent amid varying domestic league strengths. The entrants were Churchill Brothers and from , alongside Maziya S&R and New Radiant from the . Central Asia had minimal involvement with just 2 teams from — and Regar TadAZ—highlighting the region's challenges in qualifying more clubs due to limited development resources. East Asia was the least represented, with only 2 teams from : Kitchee and Sun Hei, pointing to a lack of direct qualifiers from major East Asian powers like , , or , which prioritized the AFC Champions League. This distribution emphasized West Asia's majority presence, fostering intra-regional rivalries such as those between Kuwaiti and Iraqi clubs, while teams from Southeast and East Asia navigated significant travel distances—often exceeding 5,000 kilometers—to venues in the East Zone, adding logistical strain to their campaigns.

Group stage

Group A

Group A consisted of Al-Kuwait from , the defending AFC Cup champions, Al-Riffa from , from , and Regar-TadAZ from , who entered the group after Al-Muharraq's withdrawal. The group stage matches were played between 26 February and 1 May 2013 in a single round-robin format, with each team hosting three home games. Al-Kuwait dominated the group, finishing first with 12 points and advancing to the round of 16 as group winners, while Al-Riffa took second place on ahead of , both with 10 points. Regar-TadAZ finished bottom with 2 points from two draws, having conceded 16 goals in six matches. The group kicked off on 5 March 2013 with Al-Riffa hosting Al-Kuwait at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town, , where Al-Kuwait won 2–0 thanks to goals from Jabar Tawfiq and Abdallah Awaid. A week later, on 12 March 2013, Al-Kuwait hosted at Al-Kuwait Sports Club Stadium in , securing a 3–1 victory with strikes from Issam Jemaa (two goals) and Yousef Al-Sulaiman, while Safa replied through . On 2 April 2013, Safa hosted Al-Riffa at in , earning a narrow 1–0 win with a goal from Ali Hamam. The return fixture on 10 April 2013 saw Al-Riffa host Safa at Khalifa Sports City Stadium, reversing the result with a 2–0 triumph through goals by Jaycee John and Abdulla Abduallatif. Al-Kuwait's attacking prowess, led by Tunisian striker Issam Jemaa who scored multiple times in the group, ensured their top position despite two losses later in the campaign. The battles between Al-Riffa and Safa highlighted the competitiveness for second place, with Al-Riffa advancing on superior (+3 compared to Safa's -1). Regar-TadAZ's participation marked Tajikistan's involvement in the competition, earning two draws but struggling against the more experienced sides, with a of -11.
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
1Al-Kuwait (A)6402156+912
2Al-Riffa (A)631296+310
3631278-110
4Regar-TadAZ6024516-112
(A) Advanced to the knockout stage. Source: AFC Cup 2013 Standings

Group B

Group B featured teams from Iraq, Lebanon, , and : of Iraq, Al-Ansar of Lebanon, Fanja SC of Oman, and Al-Ahli Taizz of , who qualified via the preliminary play-off by defeating Al-Wahda of 5–3 on aggregate. The group was dominated by , who secured top spot with a perfect record, advancing to the round of 16 as group winners. Fanja finished second and also qualified, while Al-Ansar and Al-Ahli Taizz were eliminated.

Standings

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 (H)6600170+1718Advance to round of 16
2Fanja631296+310Advance to round of 16
3Al-Ansar621379−27
4Al-Ahli Taizz6006220−180
Source: AFC Cup 2013
(H) Hosts

Results

The matches were played between 5 March and 1 May 2013. Erbil maintained a flawless defensive record, conceding no goals across all six fixtures, while Al-Ahli Taizz struggled, failing to secure any points or victories.
DateTeam 1ResultTeam 2Venue (if known)
5 March4–0Al-Ahli TaizzFranso Hariri Stadium,
5 MarchFanja4–0Al-AnsarAl-Seeb Stadium,
12 MarchAl-Ahli Taizz0–2FanjaAli Mohsen Al-Muraisi Stadium,
12 MarchAl-Ansar0–2,
3 AprilAl-Ahli Taizz0–2Al-AnsarAli Mohsen Al-Muraisi Stadium,
3 April1–0FanjaFranso Hariri Stadium,
9 AprilAl-Ansar5–1Al-Ahli Taizz,
9 AprilFanja0–4Al-Seeb Stadium,
24 AprilAl-Ahli Taizz0–4Ali Mohsen Al-Muraisi Stadium,
24 AprilAl-Ansar0–0Fanja,
1 May2–0Al-AnsarFranso Hariri Stadium,
1 MayFanja3–1Al-Ahli TaizzAl-Seeb Stadium,
Erbil's unbeaten run highlighted their defensive solidity, with notable performances including a 4–0 away win at Fanja and a 4–0 victory over Al-Ahli Taizz in , contributing to their 17 goals scored without reply. Al-Ansar's 5–1 home win against Al-Ahli Taizz provided their most convincing result, but a goalless draw with Fanja proved costly for qualification hopes. Fanja's early 4–0 win over Al-Ansar set a strong tone, though losses to tempered their campaign. Al-Ahli Taizz's participation marked Yemen's return to the competition, but they struggled against the more experienced sides, contributing to one of the widest goal differences in the group stage (-18).

Group C

Group C consisted of Al-Faisaly from , Duhok from , Dhofar Club from , and Al-Sha'ab Ibb from , with Al-Faisaly seeded as the top team following the group stage draw conducted by the on 5 December 2012. The group was marked by competitive encounters, particularly between the top two teams, while Al-Sha'ab Ibb struggled throughout, failing to secure a single point or victory in their six matches. The opening matches on 6 March 2013 saw defeat Al-Sha'ab Ibb 3–1 away in , , with goals from Amjad Kalaf (two) and Muhammad Abbas, while Dhofar upset Al-Faisaly 3–2 in , , thanks to strikes from Hassan Al-Gheilani, Mohammed Al-Ghailani, and Eid Al-Mahrami, overcoming a late comeback attempt by the hosts. In the second round on 13 March, Al-Faisaly responded with a 1–0 victory over in Dohuk, , via a second-half goal from Abdallah Deeb, and Dhofar secured a 1–0 home win against Al-Sha'ab Ibb in , , with Jaber Al-Owaisi scoring. The third round on 2–3 April featured Al-Faisaly's 2–1 home triumph over Al-Sha'ab , with goals from Mo'ayyad Abu Al-Shaer and Ahmad Ersan, despite a late consolation from Yahya Al-Ward, and Duhok's emphatic 3–1 away win at Dhofar, where , Karo Lugard, and Muhammad Ali scored. On 10 April, Duhok demolished Dhofar 6–1 at home, with a from Amjad Kalaf and goals from Muhammad Abbas, , and Ali Qasim, marking the highest-scoring match in the group, while Al-Faisaly won 2–0 away against Al-Sha'ab , courtesy of strikes from Ahmad Ersan and Hisham Al-Joneidi. In the penultimate round on 23–24 April, Dhofar held Al-Faisaly to a 1–1 draw at home, with Issam Al Sabhi equalizing after Hisham Al-Joneidi's opener, and beat Al-Sha'ab Ibb 2–1 in Dohuk, with goals from and , as Abdulkarim Al-Selwi replied for the visitors. The final matches on 30 April saw Al-Faisaly edge 1–0 at home, with Abdallah Deeb scoring the decisive goal, and Dhofar win 1–0 away at Al-Sha'ab Ibb, sealed by a penalty from Saad Al-Mukhaini.
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Al-Faisaly (Jordan)641195+413Advance to knockout stage
2 (Iraq)6402146+812Advance to knockout stage
3Dhofar Club (Oman)6312812−410
4Al-Sha'ab Ibb (Yemen)6006311−80
Al-Faisaly topped the group with 13 points, advancing as winners after a hard-fought campaign that included only one loss and a crucial final-day victory over , while qualified as runners-up despite their high goal tally, highlighted by the 6–1 rout of Dhofar. Al-Sha'ab Ibb's winless run represented the weakest performance in the group, conceding in all matches and failing to score in four.

Group D

Group D of the 2013 AFC Cup featured Al-Qadsia from , Al-Shorta from , Al-Ramtha from , and from , with matches played from February to May 2013. Al-Qadsia dominated the group, winning four of their six matches and drawing one to finish first with 13 points, advancing directly to the round of 16 as group winners. Al-Shorta secured second place with 12 points after four wins, also qualifying for the knockout stage, while Al-Ramtha ended third with 10 points and finished last without a single point. The group saw several high-scoring encounters, including Al-Ramtha's 5–0 thrashing of and Al-Qadsia's 3–0 home win over the same opponent, highlighting the disparity in team strengths. The final standings were as follows:
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
1Al-Qadsia6411134+913
2Al-Shorta640285+312
3Al-Ramtha6312107+310
4Ravshan Kulob6006217−150
All results from Group D:
  • 26 February 2013: Al-Ramtha 1–0 Ravshan Kulob (Prince Faisal Stadium, Amman).
  • 26 February 2013: Al-Shorta 1–0 Al-Qadsia (Al-Abbasiyyin Stadium, Damascus).
  • 6 March 2013: Al-Shorta 2–0 Ravshan Kulob (Al-Abbasiyyin Stadium, Damascus).
  • 13 March 2013: Al-Ramtha 0–3 Al-Qadsia (Prince Faisal Stadium, Amman).
  • 3 April 2013: Al-Shorta 0–1 Al-Ramtha (Al-Abbasiyyin Stadium, Damascus).
  • 3 April 2013: Al-Qadsia 3–0 Ravshan Kulob (Mohammad Al-Hammad Stadium, Hawally).
  • 9 April 2013: Ravshan Kulob 1–3 Al-Qadsia (Central Stadium, Kulob).
  • 9 April 2013: Al-Ramtha 1–2 Al-Shorta (Prince Faisal Stadium, Amman).
  • 23 April 2013: Al-Shorta 0–2 Al-Qadsia (Al-Abbasiyyin Stadium, Damascus).
  • 23 April 2013: Al-Ramtha 5–0 Ravshan Kulob (Prince Faisal Stadium, Amman).
  • 30 April 2013: Ravshan Kulob 1–3 Al-Shorta (Central Stadium, Kulob).
  • 30 April 2013: Al-Qadsia 2–2 Al-Ramtha (Mohammad Al-Hammad Stadium, Hawally).

Group E

Group E consisted of Semen Padang from , Kitchee from , Churchill Brothers from , and Warriors from , all representing associations in the and South Asian regions. The group featured intense competition among teams with varying levels of continental experience, highlighted by Semen Padang's strong defensive record and Kitchee's high-scoring attacks. Travel logistics posed challenges, particularly for Semen Padang, who journeyed over 2,000 kilometers to matches in Singapore and Hong Kong, contributing to the physical demands of the schedule. The group stage matches were played between February and May 2013, with Semen Padang topping the table after securing 16 points from five wins and one draw, advancing as group winners. Kitchee finished second with 12 points from four wins and two losses, also qualifying for the . Churchill Brothers earned 4 points from one win, one draw, and four losses, while Warriors managed just 3 points from one win and five losses. Semen Padang scored 15 goals while conceding only 6, demonstrating their dominance, whereas Kitchee netted 18 but leaked 7.
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Semen Padang (H)6510156+916Advance to knockout stage
2Kitchee6402187+1112Advance to knockout stage
3Churchill Brothers6114613−74
4Warriors6105417−133
Source: AFC Cup 2013 group standings. (H) Hosts. The opening matches on 26 February saw Kitchee secure a convincing 3–0 victory over Churchill Brothers at , with goals from Siu Kei, Tarrés, and Joel. Semen Padang began their campaign on 5 March with a 3–1 home win against Warriors at Haji Stadium, where Edward Wilson, Vendry Mofu, and scored for the hosts, and M. Ridhuan managed a consolation for the visitors. On 12 March, Churchill Brothers held Semen Padang to a 2–2 draw at in , with goals from and Bikramjit Singh for the Indians, matched by Rendi Irwan and Ahmad Nur Iskandar for the Indonesians. The same day, Warriors led 2–0 at halftime against Kitchee at but collapsed in a 4–2 defeat, as Kitchee mounted a comeback with strikes from Aender, Jordi Tarrés (twice), and Cheng Siu Wai. In early , Churchill Brothers bounced back with a 3–0 win over Warriors at Sports Complex on 2 April, courtesy of Jaison Vales, Bikramjit Singh, and . Kitchee fell 2–1 to Semen Padang at on the same day, with Nur Iskandar and Edward Wilson scoring for the visitors, and replying late for the hosts. On 10 April, Warriors edged Churchill Brothers 1–0 at via a goal from Shi Jiayi, while Semen Padang thrashed Kitchee 3–1 at Haji Agus Salim Stadium, with Wilson (twice) and Iskandar on target, and Tarrés scoring for Kitchee. The final round on 24–25 April and 1 May saw decisive results. On 24 April, Semen Padang won 2–0 at Warriors' , with goals from James Koko and Mofu, and Churchill Brothers suffered a 4–0 home loss to Kitchee at Sports Complex, where Iván Codina (twice), Tarrés, and Cheng Siu Wai scored. Closing the group on 1 May, Semen Padang defeated Churchill Brothers 3–1 at Stadium, with Wilson, Mofu, and Koko finding the net, and replying. Kitchee ended with a 5–0 rout of Warriors at , led by a from Tarrés and goals from Law Tsz Chun and Beckam.

Group F

Group F featured four teams from South and East : New Radiant from the , United from , Sun Hei from , and Persibo Bojonegoro from . The group stage matches were played between February and May 2013, with New Radiant and United dominating proceedings, ultimately qualifying for the as the top two finishers. The opening matches saw United secure a 3–0 home victory over Persibo Bojonegoro at on 26 February 2013. In the other fixture, New Radiant edged Sun Hei 1–0 at Rasmee Dhandu Stadium on 5 March 2013. On 12 March, Persibo suffered a humiliating 7–0 defeat to New Radiant in Bojonegoro, with scoring a for the Maldivian side. Sun Hei lost to United 1–3 at on 12 March 2013. In round three, Yangon United defeated New Radiant 2–0 at home on 3 2013. Persibo and Sun Hei played out a 3–3 draw in Bojonegoro on 3 2013, earning the their only point of the campaign. Round four brought further misery for Persibo as Sun Hei thrashed them 8–0 at on 9 2013, with the side's attack overwhelming the depleted visitors. New Radiant bounced back with a 3–1 win over Yangon United at Rasmee Dhandu Stadium on 9 2013. The matches on 24 April were Sun Hei 0–3 New Radiant at and Persibo 1–7 United in Bojonegoro. The final round on 1 May 2013 saw New Radiant demolish Persibo 6–1 at home, again led by Ashfaq's multiple goals, and United complete the double over Sun Hei with a 2–0 victory in .
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1New Radiant (H)6501204+1615Advance to
2Yangon United6501185+1315Advance to
3Sun Hei6114121204
4Persibo Bojonegoro6015534−291
Source: AFC Cup 2013 standings. New Radiant topped the group ahead of United on after the teams finished level on points and head-to-head record. Key events in Group F included Persibo's record collapse, conceding 34 goals across their six matches—the highest in a single group in AFC Cup history at the time—and suffering three defeats by seven or more goals, highlighting defensive frailties amid off-field issues for the club. New Radiant, powered by star striker who netted 14 goals, set a group-stage scoring record with 20 goals, while United's disciplined campaign marked football's growing presence in continental competition.

Group G

Group G of the 2013 AFC Cup featured four teams from and the : FA of , SHB Đà Nẵng of , Ayeyawady United of , and of the . The group was marked by competitive matches among the representatives, highlighting regional rivalries, particularly between the Malaysian and Vietnamese sides, with and SHB Đà Nẵng ultimately advancing. All six fixtures were contested from late to late April 2013, showcasing a mix of defensive solidity and high-scoring encounters. The group stage opened on 27 February with SHB Đà Nẵng defeating Ayeyawady United 2–1 at Chi Lăng Stadium in Đà Nẵng, Vietnam, where goals from Sabin-Cosmin Goia and Nguyễn Hồng Phước secured the win for the hosts. On 6 March, Kelantan FA hosted Maziya S&RC at Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Bharu, Malaysia, ending in a 1–1 draw after a late equalizer by Maziya's Mohamed Adhuham. Ayeyawady United then claimed their first points on 13 March, beating Kelantan 3–1 at Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar, with a brace from Soe Khin exposing Kelantan's away vulnerabilities. Midway through the group, hosted Ayeyawady United on 2 at the National Football Stadium in , , winning 3–1 in a lively affair that boosted their goal tally. Ayeyawady responded strongly on 10 , thrashing Maziya 3–0 in the return leg at , , with goals from Yan Naing Oo, Soe Khin, and Aung Thu securing a vital victory. Meanwhile, dominated SHB Đà Nẵng 5–0 on 2 at , with scoring a in a one-sided display of Malaysian attacking prowess. SHB Đà Nẵng exacted partial revenge on 10 , edging Maziya 3–1 at Chi Lăng Stadium. The penultimate round saw Maziya stun Kelantan 6–1 on 23 April at the National Football Stadium, Malé, where Asadullah Laks, Ibrahim Fazeel, and others ran riot, inflicting Kelantan's only group defeat. SHB Đà Nẵng kept pace by overcoming Ayeyawady 3–2 away in Yangon on the same day, with Nguyễn Anh Đức's late goal clinching the points. The group concluded on 30 April with Kelantan sealing top spot via a 3–1 home win over Ayeyawady United, courtesy of goals from Badhri Mohammad, Norshahrul Idlan, and Guilherme de Paula, while SHB Đà Nẵng beat Maziya 3–1 at home to finish as runners-up.
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 (H)6411149+513Advance to round of 16
2SHB Đà Nẵng64021112−112Advance to round of 16 (as best third-placed team or better)
362131312+17
4Ayeyawady United6105914−53
Source: Worldfootball.net standings

Group H

Group H of the 2013 AFC Cup featured four teams: from India, from , Sài Gòn Xuân Thành from , and Tampines Rovers from . The group stage matches were played between 27 and 30 April 2013, with each team contesting six fixtures in a home-and-away round-robin format. topped the group unbeaten, securing qualification for the as the first Indian club to achieve this feat in the competition's history. The opening matches saw East Bengal defeat Selangor 1–0 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on 27 February, with Lalrindika Ralte scoring from long range. Meanwhile, Tampines Rovers hosted Sài Gòn Xuân Thành at Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on 6 March, losing 2–3 after a late winner from Nguyễn Văn Biển. In March, East Bengal traveled to Thống Nhất Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City on 13 March, holding Sài Gòn Xuân Thành to a 0–0 draw. The same day, Selangor and Tampines Rovers played out an entertaining 3–3 stalemate at Shah Alam Stadium in Malaysia, with goals from Azuan Fadzli and Mahrez Al Idrus for the visitors. On 3 April, Sài Gòn Xuân Thành edged Selangor 2–1 at home, courtesy of a brace from Emeka Oguwike. Tampines Rovers then faced East Bengal at Jalan Besar Stadium on the same date, falling 2–4 despite efforts from Sead Hadžibulić and Juma'at Jantan. April's fixtures included Selangor's 3–1 home win over Sài Gòn Xuân Thành on 9 April at , with Ho Wai Loon, , and netting. followed with a 2–1 victory against Rovers at on 9 April, goals from and Ralte sealing the points. On 23 April, Sài Gòn Xuân Thành drew 2–2 with Rovers at , while Selangor held to a 2–2 draw at , though the Indian side had already clinched top spot. The group concluded on 30 April with 's emphatic 4–1 home win over Sài Gòn Xuân Thành at , where Penn Orji scored twice, joined by and Andrew Barisić; Christian Nsi replied for the visitors. Rovers lost 2–3 to Selangor at on the same day, confirming their elimination. East Bengal finished with maximum points from their unbeaten run, advancing as group winners, while Selangor progressed as runners-up on ahead of Sài Gòn Xuân Thành. Rovers ended bottom, unable to secure a victory.
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 (H)6420136+714Advance to knockout stage
262221211+18Advance to knockout stage
3Sài Gòn Xuân Thành6222912−38
4 Rovers60241217−52
Source: AFC

Knockout stage

Bracket

The knockout stage of the 2013 AFC Cup featured a with 16 teams—the eight group winners and eight group runners-up—advancing from the group stage. The round of 16 matchups were determined by a draw conducted on 20 June 2013 in , , pairing each group winner against a group runner-up from a different group, with group winners hosting the matches to prioritize competitive balance and avoid same-association clashes where feasible. Subsequent rounds (quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final) were drawn after each previous stage, played over two legs on a home-and-away basis except for the round of 16, which consisted of single matches, and the final, which was a single neutral-venue game. The applied in two-legged ties, with extra time and penalty shoot-outs used if necessary to decide advancement. The tournament bracket structured the progression as follows, with paths leading to an all-Kuwaiti final between Al-Kuwait (group A winners) and Al-Qadsia (group D winners):
Round of 16 (14–15 May 2013)Quarter-finals (17–24 Sep 2013)Semi-finals (1–22 Oct 2013)Final (2 Nov 2013)
Al-Kuwait 1–1 (5–2 p)
(Group A winner vs. Group C runner-up)Al-Kuwait 12–2 New Radiant
Al-Kuwait 7–2 Al-Kuwait 2–0 Al-Qadsia
New Radiant 2–0 (a.e.t.)
(Group F winner vs. Group H runner-up)
Al-Faisaly 3–1 Al-Riffa
(Group C winner vs. Group A runner-up)Al-Faisaly 4–2 Kitchee
Al-Qadsia 3–1 Al-Faisaly
0–2 Kitchee
(Group G winner vs. Group E runner-up)
Al-Qadsia 4–0 Fanja
(Group D winner vs. Group B runner-up)Al-Qadsia 2–2 (a.g.) Al-Shorta
3–4 (a.e.t.) Al-Shorta
(Group B winner vs. Group D runner-up)
5–1 United
(Group H winner vs. Group F runner-up) 2–1 Semen Padang
Semen Padang 2–1 SHB Đà Nẵng
(Group E winner vs. Group G runner-up)
This bracket illustrates the paths: the upper half (Al-Kuwait's side) converged from Groups A, C, F, and H, while the lower half (Al-Qadsia's side) drew from Groups B, D, E, and G, culminating in Al-Kuwait's victory for their third title. The final was held at the neutral Peace & Friendship Stadium in , , accommodating 21,500 spectators.

Round of 16

The round of 16 stage of the 2013 AFC Cup took place from 14 to 15 May 2013 and featured eight single-elimination matches pitting the eight group stage winners against the eight best runners-up, with group winners hosting. No applied, as all ties were one-off encounters; extra time and penalties resolved draws where necessary. The advancing teams were Al-Kuwait, Al-Faisaly, Al-Qadsia, , New Radiant, Kitchee, Semen Padang, and Al-Shorta.
DateMatchScoreWinner
14 May 2013Al-Kuwait (KUW) vs Dohuk (IRQ)1–1 (5–2 p)Al-Kuwait
14 May 2013Al-Faisaly (JOR) vs Al-Riffa (BHR)3–1Al-Faisaly
14 May 2013Semen Padang (IDN) vs SHB Đà Nẵng (VIE)2–1Semen Padang
14 May 2013 (MAS) vs Kitchee (HKG)0–2Kitchee
14 May 2013New Radiant (MDV) vs (MAS)2–0 (a.e.t.)New Radiant
15 May 2013 (IRQ) vs Al-Shorta (SYR)3–4 (a.e.t.)Al-Shorta
15 May 2013Al-Qadsia (KUW) vs Fanja (OMA)4–0Al-Qadsia
15 May 2013 (IND) vs Yangon United (MYA)5–1
Key moments included Chadi Hammami's first-half goal for Al-Kuwait, canceled out by Dohuk's equalizer, leading to a penalty shoot-out where the hosts prevailed. In the tie, netted a to power the Indian side to a dominant . Al-Shorta's Oday Al-Jafal scored the extra-time winner against after a 3-3 draw, securing progression for the Syrian club amid regional security challenges that forced neutral venues for some ties.

Quarter-finals

The quarter-finals of the 2013 AFC Cup were contested as two-legged ties between 17 and 24 September 2013, with the winners advancing to the semi-final stage. The draw paired the highest-ranked remaining teams from the round of 16 against the lowest, ensuring a mix of West Asian and other regional sides. Al-Kuwait, the defending champions, delivered a dominant performance, while East Bengal made history as the first to reach the semi-finals.

Al-Kuwait vs. New Radiant

In the first leg on 17 September 2013 at the National Football Stadium in , , New Radiant hosted Al-Kuwait but suffered a heavy 2–7 defeat, with Tunisian striker scoring four goals for the visitors. The second leg on 24 September 2013 at Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium in saw Al-Kuwait complete a 5–0 rout, resulting in a 12–2 aggregate victory and their advancement. This tie showcased Al-Kuwait's attacking prowess, as they scored 12 goals across the two matches.

Al-Qadsia vs. Al-Shorta

The first leg took place on 17 September 2013 at Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium in , where Al-Qadsia and Al-Shorta played out a goalless 0–0 draw despite Al-Qadsia missing a penalty. In the return leg on 24 September 2013 at Al-Abbasiyyin Stadium in , , Al-Shorta led 2–0 early, but Al-Qadsia fought back for a 2–2 draw, securing progression on with a 2–2 aggregate. Kuwaiti forward scored both of Al-Qadsia's goals in the second leg.

East Bengal vs. Semen Padang

East Bengal hosted the first leg on 17 September 2013 at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan in , , securing a 1–0 win thanks to a second-half goal from substitute Ryuji Sueoka. The second leg on 24 September 2013 at the Haji Agus Salim Stadium in , , ended 1–1, with East Bengal holding firm to advance 2–1 on aggregate and become the first Indian team to reach the AFC Cup semi-finals. James Moga equalized for Semen Padang late in the match.

Al-Faisaly vs. Kitchee

The opening leg on 17 September 2013 at the in saw Kitchee fall 1–2 to Al-Faisaly, with Jordanian side's Gustavo Cunha and Ahmed Khasawneh scoring. In the second leg on 24 September 2013 at the Petra Stadium in , , Al-Faisaly won 2–1 to clinch a 4–2 aggregate triumph and progress, with goals from Zahir Belounis and Ahmed Khasawneh again proving decisive. This marked Al-Faisaly's return to the semi-finals since their 2007 title win.

Semi-finals

The semi-finals of the 2013 AFC Cup were contested over two legs in October, featuring Kuwaiti clubs Al-Kuwait and Al-Qadsia against of and Al-Faisaly of , respectively. In the first semi-final tie, defending champions Al-Kuwait hosted on 1 October 2013 at Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium in , securing a 4–2 victory in the first leg. Issam Jemaa scored a first-half brace for Al-Kuwait, with additional goals from Juma Al-Maiman and Ahmad Janazea, while responded through and Ryuji Sueoka to keep the tie alive with away goals. The second leg took place on 22 October 2013 at in , , where Al-Kuwait dominated with a 3–0 win, courtesy of goals from Bashar Abdallah, Abdulkarim , and Yousef Nasser, advancing 7–2 on aggregate despite 's early pressure. The second tie saw Al-Qadsia face Al-Faisaly, starting with a 2–1 first-leg win for the Kuwaiti side on 2 October 2013 at Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium in . opened the scoring in the 51st minute, followed by Musaed Neda's 76th-minute finish from a rebound, while Al-Faisaly's Ahmed Khasawneh pulled one back late. In the return leg on 22 October 2013 at in , , Al-Qadsia held firm for a 1–0 victory through a second-half goal by Neda, clinching a 3–1 aggregate triumph and setting up an all-Kuwaiti final.
TieFirst legSecond legAggregate
Al-Kuwait vs. 1 Oct 2013: Al-Kuwait 4–2 (Hawally)22 Oct 2013: 0–3 Al-Kuwait ()7–2
Al-Qadsia vs. Al-Faisaly2 Oct 2013: Al-Qadsia 2–1 Al-Faisaly ()22 Oct 2013: Al-Faisaly 0–1 Al-Qadsia ()3–1

Final

The 2013 AFC Cup final was contested as a single-legged match between defending champions Al-Kuwait and Al-Qadsia, the two remaining Kuwaiti sides in the tournament, at Peace & Friendship Stadium in on 2 November 2013. The fixture, refereed by Singapore's Abdul Malik Bashir, drew an attendance of 10,000 spectators and represented the first all-Kuwaiti final in the competition's history. The first half was a tightly contested affair, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances despite Al-Qadsia's slight edge in possession; neither side managed a breakthrough before the interval. The deadlock was broken early in the second half when Brazilian forward Rogerinho, the reigning AFC Foreign Player of the Year, unleashed a stunning long-range strike from just outside the in the 52nd minute, curling the ball into the top corner for his seventh of the campaign. Al-Qadsia pushed forward in response, but Al-Kuwait capitalized on a counter-attack in the 64th minute, as Rogerinho threaded a precise through-ball to tournament top scorer , who finished clinically past the goalkeeper to make it 2–0. Al-Kuwait comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to secure a 2–0 victory, retaining their title and claiming their third AFC Cup triumph overall (previous wins in 2009 and 2012), a record at the time. The win solidified Kuwait's dominance in the competition during the early , with the nation having featured in every final from 2009 to 2013.

Awards and statistics

Awards

At the conclusion of the 2013 AFC Cup, the (MVP) was presented to of , recognizing his outstanding contributions throughout the tournament, including his leadership and goal-scoring prowess, despite missing the final due to injury. Al-Mutawa's performance was highlighted as pivotal in guiding Al-Qadsia to the final, where they faced Al-Kuwait SC. The Top Scorer was given to of Al-Kuwait SC with 16 goals. No Fair Play Award was officially conferred for the 2013 edition, though Al-Kuwait SC received team honors as the tournament champions, marking their third AFC Cup title. The awards were presented during the post-match ceremony at the Friendship and Peace Stadium in Kuwait following Al-Kuwait's 2–0 victory in the final on November 2, 2013.

Top scorers

The leading goalscorer in the 2013 AFC Cup was Tunisian striker Issam Jemâa, who scored 16 goals for Al-Kuwait SC across 12 matches, including one from the penalty spot. His tally included multiple braces, such as three goals in quick succession during the 5–0 quarter-final second leg win over New Radiant and another pair in the semi-final victory against East Bengal. Jemâa's goals were spread throughout the tournament: 6 in the group stage, 7 in the quarter-finals, 2 in the semi-finals, and 1 in the final. The following table lists the top 10 goalscorers, based on total competitive goals (including penalties) in all phases of the tournament.
RankPlayerTeamNationalityGoals
1Issam JemâaAl-Kuwait SCTunisia16
2Jordi TarrésKitcheeSpain12
3Edward Junior WilsonSemen PadangLiberia10
4Adama KonéYangon UnitedIvory Coast9
5Bader Al-MutawaAl-QadsiaKuwait9
6Ali AshfaqNew RadiantMaldives9
7Amjad RadhiErbilIraq7
8Ahmad Al-DouniAl-RiffaSyria7
9RogerinhoAl-Kuwait SCBrazil7
10Mohamed UmairNew RadiantMaldives6

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  24. https://www.besoccer.com/competition/table/afc_cup/2013/group3
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  28. https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/churchill-brothers-2-2-semen-padang-goan-outfit-hold-indonesian-champions
  29. https://www.bolasepako.com/2013/03/afc-cup-inept-warriors-ripped-apart-by.html
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  40. https://www.soccerpunter.com/soccer-statistics/Asia/AFC-Cup-2013/match/1419274_Yangon_United_FC_vs_New_Radiant_SC
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  52. https://www.soccerpunter.com/head-to-head-stats/all/5838/15024/5557/SHB-Da-Nang-vs-Maziya-in-Asia-AFC-Champions-League-Two-2013
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