August 22 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) completed the draws for its revamped club competition eco-system at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur today with the group stage draw for its new third tier competition, the AFC Challenge League.
The new club competition provides a platform for the AFC’s aspiring teams and will have 18 sides in the inaugural season. Teams are guaranteed at least $100,000 for entering the Group Stage and a minimum $1.3 million for the champions.
The Group Stage draw created five groups, three comprising four teams from the West and two involving three teams from the East. Matches will be played out in a single-round robin and centralised format between October 26 and November 2.
The three Group winners and best-ranked runners-up from the West groups, and the top two finishers from the East groups qualify for the knock-out rounds.
Quarter-finals will be played between March 5 and 13, 2025. and double-legged Semi-finals are scheduled for April 9 to 17, 2025. The final is set for May 10, 2025.
The draw also saw the unveiling of a fourth new competition trophy for the AFC’s club competitions.
Designed very much as a platform for clubs from nations that are eager for international competition but find it hard to compete with the AFC’s more developed club infratructures, the competition will be competed for by 18 teams from 18 different countries.
Draw Result
Group A: East Bengal FC (IND), Nejmeh SC (LBN), Bashundhara Kings (BAN), Paro FC (BHU, Hosts)
Group B: Al Arabi SC (KUW, H), FC Arkadag (TKM), Maziya Sports & Recreation (MDV), FC Abdysh-Ata Kant (KGZ)
Group C: Al Ahli (BHR), Al Futowa SC (SYR), Al Seeb Club (OMA, H), Hilal Al-Quds (PLE)
Group D: Shan United FC (MYA, H), Tainan City FC (TPE), Young Elephants FC (LAO)
Group E: Madura United (IDN), Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM), SP Falcons (MNG, H)
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