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Road to glory begins: #ACLTwo contenders to discover Group Stage fate

Tue, 21 Jul, 2026

Road to glory begins: #ACLTwo contenders to discover Group Stage fate

Kuala Lumpur: The cast for the AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) 2026/27™ will learn their Group Stage opponents on August 18 (Tuesday) when the draw ceremony takes place at 2pm at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

Featuring 32 clubs, the 22nd edition of Asia’s second-tier men’s competition will kick off its thrilling group battles—to be played in a home-and-away round-robin format—on September 15.

Rashid salutes East Bengal resilience

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026

Rashid salutes East Bengal resilience

Kolkata: Mohammed Rashid played a major role in helping East Bengal FC oust Al Arabi SC to advance to the AFC Champions League Two 2026/27™ Group Stage and the captain was pleased with how the team responded to changing game dynamics.

East Bengal were staring at defeat with minutes left to play and trailing to Anayo Iwuala’s opener for Al Arabi but Rashid came to the rescue with a precise free-kick for Javi Gupta to nod home to take the game into extra-time.

Things got even better for Rashid as he volleyed in a stunning goal in the first half of extra-time but the captain refused to take the entire plaudits.

Herrington joins Hull; Trezeguet moves to Al Riyadh

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026

Herrington joins Hull; Trezeguet moves to Al Riyadh

Kuala Lumpur: Australia defender Lucas Herrington has secured a move to English Premier League side Hull City, while Egypt international Mahmoud Trezeguet has joined Saudi Arabia’s Al Riyadh as clubs continued to strengthen ahead of the 2026/27 season.

NEOM SC also added Saudi Arabia midfielder Faisal Al Ghamdi, with Qatar SC, Wellington Phoenix and several Indonesian clubs completing moves of their own.

PS: FC Arkadag (TKM) 3-0 FC Goa (IND)

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026

PS: FC Arkadag (TKM) 3-0 FC Goa (IND)

Arkadag: FC Arkadag defeated India’s FC Goa 3-0 to secure their place in the Group Stage of the AFC Champions League Two 2026/27™ at the Arkadag Stadium on Wednesday.

After a listless first half, Turkmenistan's Arkadag turned on the style after the break to put them in the Group Stage draw to be conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 18.

PS: East Bengal FC (IND) 4-1 Al Arabi SC (KUW) - AET

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026

PS: East Bengal FC (IND) 4-1 Al Arabi SC (KUW) - AET

Kolkata: India’s East Bengal FC fought back to defeat Al Arabi SC 4-1 in extra-time to qualify for the AFC Champions League Two 2026/27™ Group Stage on Wednesday.

With the score tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the entertaining affair at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Kiriangan Stadium was settled by strikes from Basim Rashid, David Lalhlansanga and Rohit Danu to put East Bengal into the group stage draw to be conducted in Kuala Lumpur on August 18.

PS: Maziya Sports & RC (MDV) 0-3 FC Regar-Tadaz (TJK)

Wed, 12 Aug, 2026

PS: Maziya Sports & RC (MDV) 0-3 FC Regar-Tadaz (TJK)

Male: Tajikistan’s FC Regar-Tadaz cruised past Maziya Sports & RC of Maldives 3-0 to book their spot in the Group Stage of the AFC Challenge League 2026/27™ on Wednesday.

Regar-Tadaz turned on the power in the second half with Ozodbek Pandzhiev, Sherzod Makhamadiev and Amirdzhon Safarov striking to take them into the Draw on August 20.

Expanded #ACLElite set for League Stage Draw

Tue, 21 Jul, 2026

Expanded #ACLElite set for League Stage Draw

Kuala Lumpur: The route to ultimate glory in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) 2026/27™ will be charted at the League Stage Draw on August 18 (Tuesday), 4pm at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

Taking place for the 24th time in the modern ACL era, this upcoming edition of Asia’s top-tier men’s club competition will feature an expanded cast of 32 sides for the first time since the revamp to its current name in 2024/25 as part of a series of strategic enhancements.

Wissing applauds Al Ittihad’s determination

Wed, 12 Aug, 2026

Wissing applauds Al Ittihad’s determination

Abu Dhabi: Al Ittihad Club head coach Jens Wissing praised his players’ commitment after the Saudi Arabian side powered past Al Jazira FSC 4-1 to secure their place in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ League Stage on Tuesday.

Steven Bergwijn struck twice in the first half and Al Ittihad never looked back as second half goals from Houssem Aouar and Marwan Al Sahafi put the game beyond Al Jazira’s reach, with Simon Banza’s late effort proving only a consolation.

Myojin hails Gamba resolve

Wed, 12 Aug, 2026

Myojin hails Gamba resolve

Gangneung: Gamba Osaka head coach Tomokazu Myojin hailed his players’ resilience after the Japanese side edged Gangwon FC 1-0 after extra time to secure their place in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ League Stage on Tuesday.

Gaku Nawata struck in the 103rd minute to settle a finely balanced Preliminary Stage encounter in favour of the reigning AFC Champions League Two™ titleholders.

Fortis’ Ibrahim savours historic strike

Wed, 12 Aug, 2026

Fortis’ Ibrahim savours historic strike

Dhaka: Mohammad Ibrahim savoured his match-winning contribution after firing Bangladesh’s Fortis FC into the AFC Challenge League 2026/27™ Group Stage with a 1-0 win over FC Muras United on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old, brought in on loan from Abahani Limited for Fortis' continental campaign, struck in the 52nd minute to seal a 1-0 Preliminary Stage victory at the Bashundhara Kings Arena.

Vine lands in Melbourne; Cho heads to Spain

Wed, 12 Aug, 2026

Vine lands in Melbourne; Cho heads to Spain

Kuala Lumpur: Melbourne City FC have secured one of Australian football’s most recognisable names, with Matildas star Cortnee Vine signing with the club for the 2026/27 campaign.

The 28-year-old Vine returned home following two seasons in the United States with North Carolina Courage in the National Women’s Soccer League.

PS: Al Ittihad Ahli of Aleppo SC (SYR) 1-0 Bangladesh Police FC (BAN)

Wed, 12 Aug, 2026

PS: Al Ittihad Ahli of Aleppo SC (SYR) 1-0 Bangladesh Police FC (BAN)

Amman: Al Ittihad Ahli of Aleppo SC were made to work hard before edging Bangladesh Police FC 1-0 on Tuesday to confirm their place in the AFC Challenge League 2026/27™ Group Stage.

The Syrian side had Jordan Rodrigues’ first half strike to thank and they now await the draw on August 20 to learn their next challengers.