AFC Challenge League
Having already secured a second consecutive Cambodian Premier League title, Svay Rieng will have home ground advantage in the AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 final.
The-AFC.com retraces Svay Rieng's journey to the decider, with the club on the verge of winning a major Asian trophy for the first time.
Group Stage
Drawn in the three-team Group E which was played in the centralised venue of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Svay Rieng had to work hard to confirm their ticket to the quarter-finals.
#ChallengeLeague | Group E: Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM) 2-1 SP Falcons (MNG)
Opening their campaign against host club SP Falcons, the Cambodian side took the lead through Pablo in the 25th minute.
The Mongolian side, needing victory to confirm their last eight spot after having started their campaign with a goalless draw against Indonesia's Madura United, fought back with Daniil Musatkin equalising in the 67th minute.
Cristian, however, had the final say with the midfielder slotting home from the penalty spot in the 80th minute to confirm Svay Rieng's quarter-final spot.
#ChallengeLeague | Group E: Madura United (IDN) 2-1 Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng (CAM)
Up next were Madura United, with the tie to decide the Group E winners and the Indonesians prevailed, winning 2-1.
Quarter-final
v Shan United (MYA)
Myanmar's Shan United awaited in the quarter-finals and Svay Rieng showed their qualify in the first leg, walking away 6-2 winners from the thrilling tie.
Cristian starred with a hat-trick, with Ryo Fujii and Min Ratanak netting one each. The unfortunate Zwe Khant Min's own goal added to Svay Rieng's advantage but Shan United gave themselves hope of turning the tie around at home by pulling two back.
#ChallengeLeague | QF, 1st Leg: Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM) 6-2 Shan United FC (MYA)
The Myanmar side gave it their all in the return leg, pulling another goal back in the first minute through Khun Kyaw Zin Hein with Ye Yint Aung adding a second in the 26th minute.
Moresche's 56th minute effort, however, deflated Shan United's comeback hopes as Svay Rieng advanced to the semi-finals in style.
Semi-final
v Madura United (IDN)
The last four tie was a rematch of the group stage but Svay Rieng were a totally different side, racing to a two-goal lead within the first six minutes of the first leg.
#ChallengeLeague | SF, 1st Leg: Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM) 3-0 Madura United (IDN)
Breno Caetano opened the scoring in the fourth with Bounphachan Bounkong adding the second shortly after.
Min Ratanak's 90th minute effort further widened Svay Rieng's advantage.
Gabriel Silva's fifth minute strike in the second leg gave them an even healthier cushion but Madura United refused to go down without a fight.
#ChallengeLeague | SF, 2nd Leg: Madura United (IDN) 3-3 (3-6 AGG) Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM)
Pedro Monteiro pulled one back in the 27th minute, only for Bounphachan Bounkong to restore Svay Rieng's four-goal advantage seconds later.
Ratanak made it 3-1 on the night in the 56th with a valiant Madura United ensuring they ended their competition on a respectable note by striking through Andi Irfan and an own goal from Vireak Dara as Svay Rieng advanced to the final 6-3 on aggregate.
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