The 2025–26 AFC Challenge League Group A is all set to kick off tomorrow at the Changlimithang Stadium. During a press conference held earlier today, head coaches and team captains expressed their readiness and expectations ahead of the matches. Four teams, including Bhutan’s Paro FC, will compete in Group A for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Bhutan’s Paro FC will face Al Shabab of Oman, which will be making its debut in the AFC Challenge League tomorrow at 6 p.m.
Paro FC’s Coach, Pushpalal Sharma, said, “I cannot rate any opponent as superior or inferior. I have due respect for their standards. Nevertheless, Paro FC has approached each match very carefully. This is our home, and for any team visiting here, it is not easy to play. We know this fact, and we are going all out here.”
Earlier in the day, Altyn Asyr of Turkmenistan will take on Abdysh-Ata of Kyrgyzstan in the opening match at 3 p.m.
Paro FC will be playing in the AFC Challenge League group stage for the second consecutive year, having qualified by defeating Afghanistan’s Abu Muslim 1–0 in the preliminary round.
“We are working hard together because we know it is not going to be easy. So, we have to push hard, deliver, and win the game,” said Paro FC’s Captain, Evans Asante.
The other head coaches and captains also expressed confidence, with their intentions set on topping the table.
“Compared to the local competition, the AFC is different. We are looking forward to qualifying for the next stage from this group. We don’t have much knowledge about Paro FC. We just know they are a top team from Bhutan. But we have analysed some of their matches. We are ready to win this match,” said Hatem Sultan Al Rushadi, Captain of Oman’s Al Shabab Club.
“Of course, we have analysed some gameplay of our opponents. We are well prepared. Tomorrow, we will be playing our first match, and first matches are always tough, but we will see what happens,” said Yazguly Hojageldiyev, Altyn Asyr FC’s Coach.
Likewise, Kyrgyzstan’s Abdysh-Ata expressed optimism about winning the group stage. The club’s coach, Khurshit Lutfullaev, said, “We had the opportunity to come to Bhutan one week earlier, so we had enough time to prepare. Before coming here, we had an intensive domestic schedule, playing every four days. So, we are used to this rhythm. Yesterday’s training went well. The players are ready, and we are prepared.”
Teams must either top the Group A table or be the best runners-up among the three groups in the West Zone to qualify for the quarterfinals, scheduled for March and April next year.
Namgay Wangdi & Karma Wangdi
Edited by Phub Gyem
