#ChallengeLeague cast set for Group Stage draw

Tue, 19 Aug, 2025

#ChallengeLeague cast set for Group Stage draw

Kuala Lumpur: Battle lines for the AFC Challenge League™ (ACGL) 2025/26 will be marked on August 28 (Thursday) during the Group Stage draw, which starts at 3pm at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The cast was finalised following the conclusion of the Preliminary Stage earlier this month, which saw nine teams progress to join the eight sides that had been granted direct entry to the Group Stage, along with the three eliminated clubs from the AFC Champions League Two™ 2025/26 Preliminary Stage.

PS - Al-Karamah SC (SYR) 0-1 Bashundhara Kings (BAN)

Wed, 13 Aug, 2025

PS - Al-Karamah SC (SYR) 0-1 Bashundhara Kings (BAN)

Doha: An Emmanuel Sunday strike secured Bashundhara Kings progress into the AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 after the Bangladesh side edged Syria’s Al-Karamah SC 1-0 in their Preliminary Stage tie on Tuesday.

Having sealed qualification, Bashundhara will now await the Group Stage draw on August 28 with head coach Mahabub Hossain aiming to improve on last season’s performance.

PS - FC Abdysh-Ata (KGZ) 5-2 Hutteen SC (SYR)

Wed, 13 Aug, 2025

PS - FC Abdysh-Ata (KGZ) 5-2 Hutteen SC (SYR)

Bishkek: A dominant performance from FC Abdysh-Ata saw the Kyrgyz Republic side overpower Hutteen SC 5-2 in their AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 Preliminary Stage clash on Tuesday.

A hat-trick by Evgenii Kozlov and one apiece from Erbol Atabaev and Mirabdulla Abbasov at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium ensured Abdysh-Ata made the Group Stage for a second consecutive time.

PS - Kasuka FC (BRU) 0-6 Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM)

Tue, 12 Aug, 2025

PS - Kasuka FC (BRU) 0-6 Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM)

Bandar Seri Begawan: Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Crown FC cruised to a 6-0 win over Brunei Darussalam’s Kasuka FC in their AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 Preliminary Stage on Tuesday.

Victory meant Phnom Penh reached the Group Stage for the fourth time. 

PS - Paro FC (BHU) 1-0 Abu Muslim Farah FC (AFG)

Tue, 12 Aug, 2025

PS - Paro FC (BHU) 1-0 Abu Muslim Farah FC (AFG)

Thimphu: Paro FC captain Evans Asante scored in the dying seconds to give his side a 1-0 win over Abu Muslim Farah FC in their AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 Preliminary Stage tie at the Changlimithang Stadium on Tuesday.

The win saw the home side make the Group Stage for the second successive time.

PS - Tainan City FC (TPE) 4-1 Khangarid Klub (MNG)

Tue, 12 Aug, 2025

PS - Tainan City FC (TPE) 4-1 Khangarid Klub (MNG)

Taipei: Tainan City FC booked their spot in the AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 Group Stage with a 4-1 win against Khangarid FC in their Preliminary Stage tie on Tuesday.

The Chinese Taipei side made good on home advantage at Taipei Municipal Stadium to best the Mongolian outfit to secure their second straight season on the continental stage.

PS - Abahani Limited Dhaka (BAN) 0-2 FC Muras United (KGZ)

Tue, 12 Aug, 2025

PS - Abahani Limited Dhaka (BAN) 0-2 FC Muras United (KGZ)

Dhaka: A second half surge from FC Muras United secured the Kyrgyz Republic side a 2-0 win over Bangladesh’s Abahani Limited Dhaka in their AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 Preliminary Stage match on Tuesday.

Atai Dzhumashev struck both goals as Muras booked their spot in the Group Stage. 

PS - Yangon United FC (MYA) 1 (3)-(5)1 Ezra FC (LAO) - AET

Tue, 12 Aug, 2025

PS - Yangon United FC (MYA) 1 (3)-(5)1 Ezra FC (LAO) - AET

Yangon: Ezra FC of Laos had to go all the way to defeat Myanmar’s Yangon United 5-3 on penalties after their AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 Preliminary Stage tie ended 1-1 after extra time on Tuesday.

Goalkeeper Kop Lokphathip emerged the hero, saving David Htan’s penalty to send Ezra through to the group stage.

PS - Maziya Sports & RC (MDV) 0-4 Al Arabi SC (KUW)

Tue, 12 Aug, 2025

PS - Maziya Sports & RC (MDV) 0-4 Al Arabi SC (KUW)

Male: Al Arabi SC outplayed Maziya Sports & RC as the Kuwaiti side walked away with a 4-0 win in their AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 Preliminary Stage tie at the Maldives National Football Stadium on Tuesday.

The 2024/25 semi-finalists confirmed their slot in the Group Stage with goals from Anayo Iwuala, Fontaine Ngoy, Christopher Powei and Hussain Mohsen.

PS - SP Falcons (MNG) 3-1 Taichung Futuro FC (TPE)

Tue, 12 Aug, 2025

PS - SP Falcons (MNG) 3-1 Taichung Futuro FC (TPE)

Ulaanbaatar: Reza Ayvazov’s brace steered Mongolia’s SP Falcons to a 3-1 win over Taichung Futuro of Chinese Taipei in their AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 Preliminary Stage at the MFF Stadium on Tuesday.

Ayvazov scored either side of the break with Sodmunkh Ankhbayar adding a late goal to seal Falcons’ passage into the Group Stage.