AFC Challenge League
FC Arkadag, Al Arabi SC and Preah Reach Khan Svay Rieng FC hold the advantage in their respective ties while Madura United and Tainan City FC have it all to play for in their return encounter.
FC Arkadag (TKM) 1 v 0 East Bengal (IND)
Venue: Arkadag Stadium (Arkadag City)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 15:30 (UTC+5)
FC Arkadag will enter the second leg at home in confident mode after a morale-boosting 1-0 win against East Bengal in the first leg despite it being their first competitive match of the season.
#ChallengeLeague | QF, 1st Leg: East Bengal (IND) 0-1 FC Arkadag (TKM)
Yazgylych Gurbanov’s first half goal earned the Turkmenistan champions the advantage with Arkadag’s defensive work shining through as they only allowed the Indian side a single shot on target in the first leg.
In fact, Arkadag could have had a bigger lead to defend if Adby Bashimov had not struck the woodwork.
East Bengal head coach Oscar Bruzon will have plenty on his mind after his side lost 4-0 to NorthEast United in the Indian Super League at the weekend as he looks to galvanise his players after two successive defeats.
Al Seeb Club (OMA) 0 v 1 Al Arabi SC (KUW)
Venue: Al Seeb Stadium (Seeb)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 22:00 (UTC+4)
A Bandar Al Salamah stoppage time winner earned Al Arabi a lead to defend when they travel for the return leg against Al Seeb Club.
Al Salamah, however, will miss the match after he was sent off following the goal.
#ChallengeLeague | QF, 1st Leg: Al Arabi FC (KUW) 1-0 Al Seeb Club (OMA)
If the first leg was any indication, little separates the two teams and it could well come down to the tiniest of details in determining who advances.
Neither side were in action domestically over the weekend, giving both head coaches the opportunity to prepare fully for this clash.
Al Seeb showed in the Group Stage that they are a force to be reckoned with when playing at home, winning all three matches without conceding a goal.
Shan United FC (MYA) 2 v 6 Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM)
Venue: Thuwunna Stadium (Yangon)
Kick-off: Thursday, 17:00 (UTC+6:30)
Cambodia’s Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC hold a sizable lead after Cristian led them to a 6-2 romp against Shan United with the Brazilian netting a hat-trick.
#ChallengeLeague | QF, 1st Leg: Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM) 6-2 Shan United FC (MYA)
Despite the big win, head coach Pep Munoz does not want to leave anything to chance for the second leg, especially when they weren’t able to keep a clean sheet.
“It’s not good enough, even though we won 6-2,” said the Spaniard. “I want my team to do better if they want to reach the final. We need to manage these games much better.”
Munoz’s concern is not without justification with Myanmar champions Shan having won seven out of eight National League matches played at home.
Madura United (IDN) 0 v 0 Tainan City FC (TPE)
Venue: Gelora Joko Samudro Stadium (Gresik)
Kick-off: Thursday, 20:30 (UTC+7)
Madura United’s Alfredo Vera and Chang Sheng-Ping of Tainan City FC will be hoping fortunes favour their respective sides after a lacklustre goalless first leg left the tie hanging in the balance.
#ChallengeLeague | QF, 1st Leg: Tainan City FC (TPE) 0-0 Madura United (IDN)
Chances were few and far in between when the two met in Kaohsiung last week and both head coaches will be keen to change that.
Madura were given the weekend off in their domestic Liga 1, allowing Vera the chance to have his charges recover fully ahead of this crucial tie.
Expectations will be high on Iran Junior and Lulinha to deliver for Madura with a vocal backing expected at Gelora Joko Samudro Stadium.
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