It's here again—the 2024–25 AFC Challenge League—and with it, the third-tier continental club football competition in Asia, rebranded from the AFC President's Cup. A new format, new opportunities for clubs of developing football nations—everything is set for a great tournament. The official draw pots for the East and West zones are out, and with this revamped competition, everyone is waiting to see how their teams can do.
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| Picture Source - AFC |
West Zone Draw Pots: East Bengal FC and Bashundhara Kings in the Mix
Interest in the West Zone draw pots has increased significantly with teams like East Bengal FC and Bashundhara Kings added to the mix. The East Bengal FC comes as the Super Cup Winner for 2023-24, while Bashundhara Kings will be the League Topper in the Bangladesh Premier League for 2023-24. With both teams attempting to make their mark on the Asian stage, they might actually go pretty deep into the competition.
Official AFC Challenge League draw pots - WEST
— Footy Rankings (@FootyRankings) August 19, 2024
Pot 1
🇮🇳 East Bengal
🇧🇠Al Ahli
🇰🇼 Al Arabi
Pot 2
🇹🇲 Arkadag
🇱🇧 Nejmeh
🇸🇾 Al Fotuwa
Pot 3
🇧🇩 Bashundhara Kings
🇴🇲 Al Seeb
🇲🇻 Maziya
Pot 4
🇵🇸 Hilal Al Quds
🇰🇬 Abdysh Ata
🇧🇹 Paro#ChallengeLeague
East Zone Draw Pots: A Glimpse into the Competition
The East Zone itself is competitive, with teams spanning Southeast and East Asia. Clubs like Madura United and Shan United are in Pot 1, while others primed for good runs, like Svay Rieng and Tainan City, can be found in Pot 2. Some mouth-watering ties will surely befall the East Zone as these teams fight for their chance to advance into the knockout rounds.
Official AFC Challenge League draw pots - EAST
— Footy Rankings (@FootyRankings) August 19, 2024
Pot 1
🇮🇩 Madura United
🇲🇲 Shan United
Pot 2
🇰🇠Svay Rieng
🇹🇼 Tainan City
Pot 3
🇱🇦 Young Elephants
🇲🇳 SP Falcons#ChallengeLeague
As the AFC Challenge League 2024-25 kicks off, all eyes will be on teams like East Bengal FC and Bashundhara Kings in the West Zone, and Madura United in the East. With the revamped format and the competitive draw, the tournament promises to be a thrilling showcase of Asia’s emerging football talent.
Which teams are you most excited to see in action this season? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
