#ChallengeLeague - Preview: The cast for the knockout stage of the AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 will be finalised on Friday and Saturday.
Four of the quarter-final spots have been filled, with Oman's Al Seeb Club assured of a top spot finish in the West Zone's Group C.
In the East Zone, Myanmar's Shan United FC and Tainan City FC have confirmed their spots from Group D while Preah Khan Reach Syay Rieng FC booked their quarter-final berth from Group E.
The-AFC.com takes a look at what remains at stake on Matchday Three.
Group A (Thimphu, Bhutan)
East Bengal (IND) v Nejmeh SC (LBN)
Kick-off: Friday, 16:00 (UTC+6)
Bashundhara Kings (BAN) v Paro FC (BHU)
Kick-off: Friday, 21:00 (UTC+6)
With the group winners assured of a knockout stage spot, India's East Bengal and Nejmeh SC of Lebanon are set for a thrilling encounter to decide the Group A winners on Friday.
Nejmeh are in the driver's seat, only needing a draw to finish top but will have to contend with an East Bengal side who will be oozing confidence after their 4-0 defeat of Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh.
A win for East Bengal will see them finishing top, with the best runners-up from across the three West groups to also advance.
Bhutan's Paro FC have an outside chance of finishing second, provided they defeat Bashundhara and East Bengal lose to Nejmeh.
Group B (Kuwait City)
Al Arabi SC (KUW) v FC Arkadag (TKM)
Kick-off: Friday, 17:30 (UTC+3)
Maziya Sports & RC (MDV) v FC Abdysh-Ata
Kick-off: Friday, 21:30
Despite sitting pretty at the top with six points, FC Arkadag could still miss out on the top spot should they lose to Kuwait's Al Arabi SC on Friday.
Turkmenistan's Arkadag followed up their opening day 2-1 win over Al Arabi with a 2-0 defeat of Kyrgyz Republic's FC Abdysh-Ata and only need a draw against Al Arabi to confirm the top spot.
Al Arabi bounced back from their shock 1-0 defeat to Abdysh-Ata on Matchday One to beat Maziya Sports & RC of the Maldives 2-0 and will fancy their chances against Arkadag.
Abdysh-Ata are also very much in the mix as a win against Maziya could see them finishing top.
Group C (Seeb, Oman)
Al Ahli (BHR) v Al Futowa SC (SYR)
Kick-off: Friday, 17:00 (UTC+4)
Al Seeb Club (OMA) v Hilal Alquds (PLE)
Kick-off: Friday, 20:00 (UTC+4)
Al Seeb Club of Oman are assured of top spot after two wins but will decide the fate of Palestine's Hilal Alquds in their showdown.
Hilal Alquds are on two points and need a win to stand a chance of advancing as the best runners-up.
Defeat for the Palestinian side, should there be a winner in the Al Ahli v Al Futowa SC clash, will see Hilal Alquds dropping down the standings.
Group D (Yangon, Myanmar)
Shan United FC (MYA) v Tainan City FC (TPE)
Kick-off: Saturday, 16:00 (UTC+6:30)
Myanmar's Shan United FC and Tainan City FC of Chinese Taipei will square off on Saturday to decide the group winners.
Both defeated Young Elephants FC of Laos to confirm their quarter-final spot with a match to spare but finishing top of the group will be an advantage going into the knockout stage draw.
Group E (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia)
Madura United (IDN) v Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (CAM)
Kick-off: Saturday, 15:00 (UTC+8)
Indonesia's Madura United will be desperate to avoid defeat when they face Cambodia's Preah Khan Reach Syay Rieng FC.
Svay Rieng FC are assured of their knockout stage berth and only need a draw to finish top, a result which will also suit Madura United who played to a goalless stalemate against Mongolia's SP Falcons.
SP Falcons could go through if Madura United lose to Svay Rieng FC by two clear goals.
BK have lost all their matches; due to the current political unrest in the country, they could manage to play only two friendlies and that might have affected their performance. Moreover, Oscar Bruzon had said that BK was facing trouble due to a change in their management
Kuwait’s Al Arabi SC defeated FC Arkadag 3-2 in Group B of the AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 on Friday with both teams advancing to the quarter-finals.
The two, together with FC Abdysh-Ata of Kyrgyz Republic, finished on six points but Turkmenistan's Arkadag topped the group on goal difference with Al Arabi second, with the Kuwaiti side going through as the best runners-up from the three West Zone groups.
Arkadag will face India's East Bengal in the quarter-finals while Al Arabi will take on Oman's Al Seeb Club.
Congratulations to E.B & E.B fans.. It is indeed great turn around after losing points in 1st game against Paro.
If they are capable of defeating Lebanese club like Nejmeh FC, that too by pumping 3 goals, then they are capable of going all the way & winning championship & defeating Turkmenistan, Kuwait/Oman & East Asian clubs. Only thing, they need to avoid silly mistakes , brain fade moments & avoid conceding goals. These Central & West Asian clubs just needs one chance to score a goal.
Hoping for the championship & I wish them all the best.. ❤️🎉🇮🇳
It is true that East Bengal has effected a turnaround in their fortunes in a very short time, but I am not quite sure that they can match the prowess of the Central and West Asian clubs or are capable of winning the championship. What Oscar Bruzon has achieved is that he has succeeded in putting back the self-belief among the players, the fire in the belly that was sorely missing in the team. The players are now seen chasing each ball, going into tackles each and every time. Also, the team is now playing a possession-based football, with short crisp passes, that is pleasing to the eye. The attack is now much more effective, with the result that Diamantakos is getting a lot more support from his midfielders.
The main weaknesses are still the defence and the fitness level of the players. Apart from Anwar Ali, who slowly seems to getting into the groove, none of the full-backs or side-backs inspire confidence. The strategy of playing the high defensive line is boomeranging time and again, as was shown yesterday when Nejmeh scored the first goal when Yuste could not chase down the opposition striker. The appalling lack of fitness is another area of concern, and Bruzon has rightfully addressed it. The likes of Chunga, Hijazi and Yuste are being outrun and outmuscled by the opposition attackers, and often end up conceding fouls to stop them. Nejmeh's second goal was the result of such a foul when they earned a free-kick when Yuste fouled an opposition player.
East Bengal's next ISL match is on November 9, after which they will have a long break, returning to ISL action on November 29. If Bruzon can plug the holes in the defence and increase the fitness level of the players, then there might be a sliver of hope for the supporters.
Comments
#ChallengeLeague - Preview: The cast for the knockout stage of the AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 will be finalised on Friday and Saturday.
Bhutan's Paro FC have an outside chance of finishing second, provided they defeat Bashundhara and East Bengal lose to Nejmeh.
Al Seeb Club of Oman are assured of top spot after two wins but will decide the fate of Palestine's Hilal Alquds in their showdown.
https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_challenge_league.html/news/challengeleague-preview-md3
Time : 3:30 p.m.
Link:
East Bengal had taken a two goal lead within the first 15 minutes, but Nejmeh hit back with two goals.
East Bengal lead by 3-2
Diamantakos scored the third goal via a penalty
BK have lost all their matches; due to the current political unrest in the country, they could manage to play only two friendlies and that might have affected their performance. Moreover, Oscar Bruzon had said that BK was facing trouble due to a change in their management
https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_challenge_league.html/news/group-b-arkadag-al-arabi-advance
If they are capable of defeating Lebanese club like Nejmeh FC, that too by pumping 3 goals, then they are capable of going all the way & winning championship & defeating Turkmenistan, Kuwait/Oman & East Asian clubs. Only thing, they need to avoid silly mistakes , brain fade moments & avoid conceding goals. These Central & West Asian clubs just needs one chance to score a goal.
Hoping for the championship & I wish them all the best.. ❤️🎉🇮🇳
It is true that East Bengal has effected a turnaround in their fortunes in a very short time, but I am not quite sure that they can match the prowess of the Central and West Asian clubs or are capable of winning the championship. What Oscar Bruzon has achieved is that he has succeeded in putting back the self-belief among the players, the fire in the belly that was sorely missing in the team. The players are now seen chasing each ball, going into tackles each and every time. Also, the team is now playing a possession-based football, with short crisp passes, that is pleasing to the eye. The attack is now much more effective, with the result that Diamantakos is getting a lot more support from his midfielders.
The main weaknesses are still the defence and the fitness level of the players. Apart from Anwar Ali, who slowly seems to getting into the groove, none of the full-backs or side-backs inspire confidence. The strategy of playing the high defensive line is boomeranging time and again, as was shown yesterday when Nejmeh scored the first goal when Yuste could not chase down the opposition striker. The appalling lack of fitness is another area of concern, and Bruzon has rightfully addressed it. The likes of Chunga, Hijazi and Yuste are being outrun and outmuscled by the opposition attackers, and often end up conceding fouls to stop them. Nejmeh's second goal was the result of such a foul when they earned a free-kick when Yuste fouled an opposition player.
East Bengal's next ISL match is on November 9, after which they will have a long break, returning to ISL action on November 29. If Bruzon can plug the holes in the defence and increase the fitness level of the players, then there might be a sliver of hope for the supporters.