News

#ChallengeLeague group battles to be revealed

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026

#ChallengeLeague group battles to be revealed

Kuala Lumpur: The cast for the AFC Challenge League (ACGL) 2026/27™ is set to discover their fate at the Group Stage Draw on August 20 (Thursday) at 3pm at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Seven clubs advanced from the Preliminary Stage to join the eight sides that were granted direct entry to the Group Stage and the two eliminated teams from the AFC Champions League Two 2026/27™ Preliminary Stage (West). An additional three clubs will be confirmed following the completion of the remaining Preliminary Stage matches in the East.

Preview: S-finals (1st Leg)

Fri, 14 Aug, 2026

Preview: S-finals (1st Leg)

Kuala Lumpur: Four teams remain in the hunt for regional glory as the ASEAN Championships 2026 semi-finals kick-off this weekend with Singapore hosting Thailand before Malaysia welcome Vietnam.

Seven-time champions Thailand and holders Vietnam will start as favourites after impressive group stage campaigns, while Singapore and Malaysia will be banking on home advantage to gain the upper hand.

Al Rashdan signs with Wydad; Cummings heads to Vietnam

Fri, 14 Aug, 2026

Al Rashdan signs with Wydad; Cummings heads to Vietnam

Kuala Lumpur: Jordan international Nizar Al Rashdan completed a move to Moroccan side Wydad AC on Thursday on a one-year deal.

There was also movement across Southeast Asia with most leagues approaching their respective kick-off dates.

Dalic appointed UAE head coach

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026

Dalic appointed UAE head coach

Dubai: Zlatko Dalic was revealed as the new head coach of the United Arab Emirates Wednesday.

The 59-year-old takes over from Cosmin Olariou, who lasted 13 months in the role after replacing Paulo Bento.

Dalic comes with the pedigree of having led Croatia to the final of FIFA World Cup 2018 and the semi-finals four years later.

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.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_two.html/photo/ps-fc-arkadag-tkm-v-fc-goa-ind

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.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_two.html/photo/ps-east-bengal-fc-ind-v-al-arabi-sc-kuw

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.