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.
 | |
| Founded | 2002 |
|---|---|
| Abolished | 2008 |
| Region | East Asia (East Asian Football Federation) |
| Number of teams | 4 |
| Website | www |
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 edit
† = did not qualify as league champions.
Records edit
- Top Scorer:
2005: 
Nadson (6 goals)
2006: 
Lee Chun-soo (6 goals)
References edit
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Ａ３の賞金未払い、浦和にも支払われず". nikkansoprts.com. 2008-01-05.
- ^ "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.
External links edit
- A3 Champions Cup (Official site: Chinese, Japanese and Korean languages)
- Soccer World Info history of the A3 cup