FM24 Asian Super League Database and Experiment

In this database I have converted the Top three divisions in Japan into an Asian Super League, Asian First League and Asian Second league, featuring twenty teams in each division and sixty teams in total across sixteen Asian countries! Also I have created an Asian Cup, Asian League Cup and Asian Super Cup.

**Please note after 21 seasons the Asian Champions League stops working for unknown reasons.
 

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Structure

Super League (18 teams)

First League (22 teams)

Second League (20 teams)

Key Nations and Clubs:

Saudi Arabia: Dominated from the outset, with Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Nassr consistently among the strongest.

Qatar: Produced notable performances from Al Sadd and Al Duhail.

Japan: Showcased strength through Urawa Red Diamonds, FC Tokyo, and Cerezo Osaka.

Thailand: Buriram United and BG Pathum United represented well, with Buriram often competing in the Super League.

Australia: Struggled to make significant inroads, though Sydney FC occasionally reached higher tiers.

Others: Clubs from South Korea, Iran, China, and beyond made sporadic impacts but rarely sustained success.

Structure and Evolution:

Initial Club Reputations: Saudi clubs began with the highest reputations. Al Hilal led as the strongest club in Asia.

League Reputation: Initially ranked the highest in Asia, the Asian Super League’s standing dropped after 25 seasons due to a bug in the simulation affecting the Asian Champions League and league reputations.

Relegation and Promotion: Constant movement among the three tiers highlighted overperformers (e.g., Buriram United) and underperformers (e.g., Persepolis).

Cup Competitions: Multiple domestic and continental cups added layers to club successes, including:

• Asian League Cup
• Asian Cup
• Asian Super Cup
• Asian Champions League

Trophy Analysis:

Top Performers:

Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia):

99 trophies (33 Super Leagues, multiple cups)

Dominated the Champions League until its abrupt halt after 21 seasons.

Won a Club World Cup in 2037.

Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia):

29 trophies (10 Super Leagues, strong cup performances).

Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia):

12 trophies, though form fluctuated significantly.

Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan):

The only non-Middle Eastern club to win the Super League (2051).

11 trophies (various cups and consistent top-tier performances).

Al Duhail (Qatar):

11 trophies, including a Super League title in 2045.

Honourable Mentions:

FC Tokyo (Japan): 8 trophies, consistent presence in top competitions.

Buriram United (Thailand): Frequently reached the Super League, representing Southeast Asia admirably.

Persepolis (Iran): Relegated early but staged comebacks in later decades.

Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan): Promoted to the Super League in later seasons.

League Trends:

Super League:

Saudi clubs won 47 of the 50 seasons. Al Hilal dominated with 33 titles.

Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) were the sole non-Middle Eastern winners.

First League:

Clubs like Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan) and Al Fateh (Saudi Arabia) regularly bounced between tiers.

Second League:

Provided opportunities for smaller nations (e.g., India’s Mumbai City) to compete, though they rarely advanced further.

Cup Competitions:

Saudi clubs often monopolised the League Cup and Asian Super Cup.

Japan excelled in the Asian Cup, with FC Tokyo and Urawa adding multiple wins.

Challenges and Observations:

Champions League Issue: The Asian Champions League stopped functioning after 21 seasons, impacting club reputations and the league’s standing.

Reputation Declines: From season 25 onwards, league and club reputations sharply declined, with formerly dominant leagues like the Asian Super League falling behind leagues in Iraq and Vietnam.

Over-Reliance on Saudi Clubs: Despite their dominance, other nations occasionally broke through in cups but rarely in league play.

Final Tally (Trophies Won):

Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia): 99 trophies

Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia): 29 trophies

Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia): 12 trophies

Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan): 11 trophies

Al Duhail (Qatar): 11 trophies

FC Tokyo (Japan): 8 trophies

Conclusion:

The Asian Super League simulation highlighted the overwhelming dominance of Saudi clubs, with Al Hilal leading the charge. Despite Japan’s consistent challenges and Qatar’s occasional successes, the league remained firmly under Saudi control. Al Hilal’s 99 trophies solidified their status as Asia’s undisputed footballing giants. However, with the Champions League issues and reputation decline, the simulation’s latter stages raised questions about long-term viability.

Warning:

The league database is available for download, but be warned there is a bug that occurs in the Champions League bug after 21 seasons.