Champions League enters Asia, but will it succeed?

New Delhi: In what could be a major boost for Indian football, the Asian Football Confederation is keenly scrutinizing Indian clubs for its ravamped Asian Champions Leauge next year. But will Indian clubs manage to qualify for the league? CNN-IBN went in search of the answers.

AC Milan celebrated what is considered to be the most prestigious club

trophy title in football: the UEFA Champions League. The competition attracts

huge audience, not just in Europe, but throughout the world, and is only behind

the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics when it comes to television ratings.

But now, Asia seems to be gearing up to give the European competition a run for its money. The AFC will unveil a revamped Asian Champions League from 2009, and is keen on giving India a chance to not only qualify, but make its presence felt in the league in a big way as well.

"You cannot compare the figures in terms of money. But AFC has got the potential, because economically, we are also very advanced," says Alberto Colaco, General Secretary of the All India Football Federation.

But there is a rider. Though India has the potential, the AFC feels Indian clubs are yet to reach the standards shown by their Japanese and other Asian counterparts when it comes to infrastructure, marketing and professionalism, and need to act fast to meet the entry criteria for qualification.

"Compared to the top level in Asia such as Japan and some other countries, there are several areas to improve (for other nations)," points out T Suzuki, vice-chairman of the AFC Pro League Committee.

"If Asian Champions League can be a hit, then I think the ACL will defeat all other leagues by sponsorship or by other monetary affairs, or in a big way, because here is the market. India, China, Japan, these are markets," explains Debashis Dutta, Finance Secratary of Mohun Bagan.

The AFC Committee has visited 21 countries so far and has narrowed down to 15

countries for a second visit. Clearly, time is running out for India as the AFC

is expected to take a final decision on the matter after its meeting in May.