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Preview - Group Stage: Matchday Three
Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 Group Stage will conclude with Matchday Three action over the next two days.
While two quarter-final spots have been filled, four groups remain wide open and this guarantees high quality action till the end.

The three group winners and best second-placed side from the West Zone will advance to the quarter-finals while the top two sides from the two East Zone groups progress.

Group A (Thimphu, Bhutan)
Altyn Asyr FC (TKM) v Al Shabab Club (OMA)
Venue: Changlimithang Stadium
Kick-off: Friday, 15:00 (UTC+6)

Paro FC (BHU) v FC Abdysh-Ata (KGZ)
Venue: Changlimithang Stadium
Kick-off: Friday, 18:00 (UTC+6)

A draw might well take both teams through but don't expect Turkmenistan's Altyn Asyr and Al Shabab Club of Oman to hold back in their Group A decider at the Changlimithang Stadium.
#ChallengeLeague | Group A: Paro FC (BHU) 1-3 Altyn Asyr FC (TKM)

#ChallengeLeague | Group A: Paro FC (BHU) 1-3 Altyn Asyr FC (TKM)

Both sides will head into the tie on six points, with Altyn Asyr ahead on goal difference but neither will want to give an inch in their determination to make sure they advance.

Bhutan's Paro FC and FC Abdysh-Ata of Kyrgyz Republic will be seeking a winning end after suffering defeats in their first two matches.

Group B (Sulaibikhat, Kuwait)
Al Seeb Club (OMA) v Al Ansar FC (LBN)
Venue: Jaber Al-Mubarak Al Sabah Stadium
Kick-off: Friday, 16:00 (UTC+3)

Kuwait SC (KUW) v Bashundhara Kings (BAN)
Venue: Jaber Al-Mubarak Al Sabah Stadium
Kick-off: Friday, 19:00 (UTC+3)

Al Seeb Club and Kuwait SC will go into their concluding ties knowing victory may not be enough to seal qualification.
#ChallengeLeague | Group B: Kuwait SC (KUW) 1-1 Al Seeb Club (OMA)

#ChallengeLeague | Group B: Kuwait SC (KUW) 1-1 Al Seeb Club (OMA)

The sides - both former AFC Cup™ winners - battled to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday - with the result leaving them on tied on four points and goal difference.

Oman's Al Seeb face the tougher test as Lebanon's Al Ansar - who are a point adrift - will overtake them with a win while Kuwait SC face Bangladesh's Bashundhara Kings who have yet to register points.

Group C (Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic)
FC Regar-TadAZ (TJK) v Safa SC (LBN)
Venue: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium
Kick-off: Friday, 16:00 (UTC+6)

Al Arabi SC (KUW) v FC Muras United (KGZ)
Venue: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium
Kick-off: Friday, 20:00 (UTC+6)

It will be a straight fight for the automatic spot from Group C when Al Arabi SC and FC Muras United face off at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium.
#ChallengeLeague | Group C: Al Arabi SC (KUW) 2-1 FC Regar-TadAZ (TJK)

#ChallengeLeague | Group C: Al Arabi SC (KUW) 2-1 FC Regar-TadAZ (TJK)

Both teams are on four points, with Kyrgyz Republic's Muras United ahead on goal difference but Kuwait's Al Arabi will be confident of their chances.

FC Regar-TadAZ of Tajikistan and Lebanon's Safa SC will be playing for pride with both teams on one point.

Group D (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)
SP Falcons FC (MNG) v Ezra FC (LAO)
Venue: Morodok Techo National Stadium
Kick-off: Saturday, 16:00 (UTC+7)

Manila Digger FC (PHI) v Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM)
Venue: Morodok Techo National Stadium
Kick-off: Saturday, 19:00 (UTC+7)

Having both confirmed their quarter-final tickets, Manila Digger FC and Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC will battle it out for the Group D top spot on Saturday.
#ChallengeLeague | Group D: Ezra FC (LAO) 0-3 Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM)

#ChallengeLeague | Group D: Ezra FC (LAO) 0-3 Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM)

Cambodia's Svay Rieng are ahead on goal difference but that won't concern Philippines side Manila, who will believe they have the quality to win.

SP Falcons FC of Mongolia and Laos' Ezra FC will aim to end their respective campaigns with a victory after suffering defeats in their earlier matches.

Group E (Tangerang, Indonesia)
Tainan City FC (TPE) v Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM)
Venue: Sport Centre Kelapa Dua Tangerang Stadium
Kick-off: Saturday, 15:00 (UTC+7)

Dewa United FC (IDN) v Shan United FC (MYA)
Venue: Sport Centre Kelapa Dua Tangerang Stadium
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:00 (UTC+7)

Group E is set for a thrilling conclusion with three teams in the running for the two quarter-final tickets.
#ChallengeLeague | Group E: Tainan City FC (TPE) 0-4 Dewa United FC (IDN)

#ChallengeLeague | Group E: Tainan City FC (TPE) 0-4 Dewa United FC (IDN)

Indonesia's Dewa United FC will be confident of taking their spot, with the leaders to face Shan United FC, who have yet to register a point.

Phnom Penh Crown FC will go into their tie against Tainan City FC only needing a draw, with the Cambodian side a point ahead of the Chinese Taipei outfit.