Separating West and East the wrong move as Middle East's finest eye AFC Champions League glory

The lack of West Asian players in Europe is often said to be, partly, because such stars are reluctant to leave their comfort zone and really test themselves against the best in the world.

This attitude, while it may be overstated a little, can spread to federations around the region as a whole. How else to explain the shortsighted and meek move to separate West from East in the Asian Champions League until the final itself?

Until last year, it was understandable that the 32 teams from all over the giant continent were divided into two geographical zones until the quarter-final stage. To do otherwise would just mean too much travel.

As a result, the last eight stage was when it all became interesting. Who could forget the classic 2012 quarter-final between Al Ittihad and Guangzhou Evergrande or the meeting in the same year between Al Hilal and Ulsan Horangi? It marked the only time when clubs from different regions of Asia actually had a chance to meet multiple times.

However welcome this was, the fact that the east started to dominate soon started to rankle. Back in 2005 when Al Ittihad made it three out of three for West Asia in the tournament that started in 2003, this was unimaginable.

But when South Korea's Jeonbuk Motors overcame Syria's Al Karama in the 2006 final, it heralded a period of eastern delight. Three more Korean teams triumphed with two from Japan and one from China getting in on the act. The 2011 victory of Qatar's Al Sadd, was, to be honest, a little lucky.

NEW FORMAT

After one West Asia win in the last eight, the format has been changed. Now, the two halves only do battle in the final itself. There can be no repeat of 2013 when Guangzhou met FC Seoul.

West Asia wants to ensure that, at least, it has a horse in the final race. The region may not currently be able to match the east on the pitch but in the political field, it is more than capable of doing so.

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The best way for those in the west to win is to engage as much as possible and learn from its rival. Fixing the race to ensure a final place may make federations, fans and media feel better, but it doesn't address the issues long term.

However it is dressed up and presented, it is a consequence of politicians intervening to produce a certain outcome and this rarely does anyone any good. It also damages the Asian Champions League.

In effect, there are now two separate 16-team tournaments and the same clubs playing together in the group stage to the semi-final is going to become stale. Indeed, both this week's western quarter-finals are repeats of group stage meetings.

If variety is the spice of life then the new-look tournament is becoming bland.

This lack of foresight also betrays a lack of regional confidence. Back in 2005, Al Ain and Al Ittihad, who will meet this week, strolled through the knockout stages to meet in the final and Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing were fearing an extended period of western domination.

It didn't matersialise but there is nothing to say that 2014 or any final in the future could not be all-Gulf affairs. Indeed, if all quarter-final ties are east vs west, as they were, why not aim for a last four full house?

Drives to change all this suggest there was a belief that such a thing could not come to pass.

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MIDDLE EAST HOPES

In the new format, we will never know. As it is, Al Sadd and Al Hilal will meet after locking horns in the first round. Then, the Qataris bounced back from a 5-0 thrashing at the hands before scraping into second spot.

The signing of Brazilian striker Muriqui, 2013 tournament MVP, from Guangzhou could give the team from Doha that extra edge this time round.

UAE giants Al Ain would have had a great chance of repeating the success of 2003 regardless of the draw and having more games against the likes of Guangzhou, led by a certain Marcello Lippi, and FC Seoul, could only be good for the players.

And when you have Asamoah Gyan scoring goals - ten so far in this year's tournament - and Omar Abdulrahman in midfield alongside new signing Lee Myung-joo then Al Ain need fear no opposition.

There will be no surprises when taking on Al Ittihad, led by in-form striker Mukhtar Abdullah, again. In the first round, Al Ain topped the group but the Saudis edged the head to head games.

If Al Ain can get past this test, it could be their year. They look ready to fulfill what is a considerable potential and rule the Asian roost once again. If so, it would be a major boost to the UAE's growing stature in the region and in the continent.

If only West Asian football leaders had such confidence in their own teams.

* John Duerden is a Middle East and Asia football correspondent for Yahoo Maktoob Sports as well as the Guardian, ESPN & World Soccer. He also writes for New York Times, AP, Daily Telegraph and various other Asia media outlets. Follow him on Twitter at @JohnnyDuerden