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Preview -Group Stage: Matchday Two
Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 Group Stage is set for a scintillating Matchday Two with the teams having no room for error.
Some enjoyed flying starts while other need victories to get their campaigns back on track and the-AFC.com takes a look at how the groups stand, with Matchday Two action to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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 will progress.

Group A (Thimphu, Bhutan)
FC Abdysh-Ata (KGZ) v Al Shabab Club (OMA)
Venue: Changlimithang Stadium
Kick-off: Tuesday, 15:00 (UTC+6)

Paro FC (BHU) v Altyn Asyr FC (TKM)
Venue: Changlimithang Stadium
Kick-off: Tuesday, 18:00 (UTC+6)

Oman's Al Shabab Club and Altyn Asyr FC of Turkmenistan will be seeking to continue their winning starts before facing off in what should be a decisive clash on Matchday Three.
#ChallengeLeague | Group A: Al Shabab Club (OMA) 1-0 Paro FC (BHU)

#ChallengeLeague | Group A: Al Shabab Club (OMA) 1-0 Paro FC (BHU)

Both sides had to work hard in their opening matches, winning by 1-0 margins against Paro FC of Bhutan and Kyrgyz Republic's FC Abdysh-Ata respectively.

Their opening match struggles should serve as a warning to both teams, with Paro and Abdysh-Ata knowing that a second defeat will end their campaigns.

Group B (Sulaibikhat, Kuwait)
Bashundhara Kings (BAN) v Al Ansar FC (LBN)
Venue: Jaber Al-Mubarak Al Sabah Stadium
Kick-off: Tuesday, 16:00 (UTC+3)

Kuwait FC (KUW) v Al Seeb Club (OMA)
Venue: Jaber Al-Mubarak Al Sabah Stadium
Kick-off: Tuesday, 19:00 (UTC+3)

It is a similar situation in Group B, with Oman's Al Seeb Club and Kuwait SC having registered thrilling 3-2 wins on Matchday One.
#ChallengeLeague | Group B: Group B: Al Ansar FC (LBN) 2-3 Kuwait SC (KUW)

#ChallengeLeague | Group B: Group B: Al Ansar FC (LBN) 2-3 Kuwait SC (KUW)

Al Seeb Club defeated Bangladesh's Bashundhara Kings while Kuwait SC beat Lebanon's Al Ansar FC.

Both are former AFC Cup™ winners and victory on Tuesday will set them up nicely for their face-off on Friday.

Group C (Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic)
Al Arabi SC (KUW) v FC Regar-TadAZ (TJK)
Venue: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium
Kick-off: Tuesday, 16:00 (UTC+6)

FC Muras United (KGZ) v Safa SC (LBN)
Venue: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium
Kick-off: Tuesday, 20:00 (UTC+6)

Something has to give in Group C with both Matchday One ties ending in stalemates.
#ChallengeLeague | Group C: Safa SC (LBN) 2-2 Al Arabi SC (KUW)

#ChallengeLeague | Group C: Safa SC (LBN) 2-2 Al Arabi SC (KUW)

Lebanon's Safa SC and Al Arabi SC of Kuwait played to a 2-2 draw while Tajikistan's FC Regar-TadAZ and FC Muras United cancelled each other out in a goalless stalemate.

The Matchday One results mean all four teams are at a disadvantage if they hope to take the best second-placed side ticket and victory will be their only option on Tuesday.

Group D (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)
SP Falcons FC (MNG) v Manila Digger FC (PHI)
Venue: Morodok Techo National Stadium
Kick-off: Wednesday, 16:00 (UTC+7)

Ezra FC (LAO) v Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM)
Venue: Morodok Techo National Stadium
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:00 (UTC+7)

Cambodia's Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC and Manila Digger FC of the Philippines will confirm their quarter-final spots with a match to spare with victories on Wednesday.
#ChallengeLeague | Group D: Manila Digger FC (PHI) 3-1 Ezra FC (LAO)

#ChallengeLeague | Group D: Manila Digger FC (PHI) 3-1 Ezra FC (LAO)

Both registered victories on Matchday One, with last season's runners-up Svay Rieng cruising to a 3-0 win against Mongolia's SP Falcons FC while Manila Digger had to work a litte harder to see off the challenge of Ezra FC of Laos.

Both will be confident of securing victories but will do well to take their respective opponents seriously.

Group E (Tangerang, Indonesia)
Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM) v Shan United FC (MYA)
Venue: Sport Centre Kelapa Dua Tangerang Stadium (Tangerang)"Kick-off: Wednesday, 15:00 (UTC+7)

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

Chinese Taipei's Tainan City FC will confirm progression with victory against host club Dewa United FC on Wednesday.
#ChallengeLeague | Group E: Shan United FC (MYA) 1-2 Tainan City FC (TPE)

#ChallengeLeague | Group E: Shan United FC (MYA) 1-2 Tainan City FC (TPE)

Tainan City were the only winners in the group on the opening matchday, defeating Myanmar's Shan United FC 2-1.

Dewa United failed to maximise home ground advantage, settling for a 1-1 draw with Cambodian side Phnom Penh Crown FC.

Phnom Penh and Shan United, meanwhile, will target victories to get their respective campaigns back on track.