ACL Two matchday two: Persib host Viettel and Lion City Sailors visit Tai Po as SEA clubs chase wins

Southeast Asian clubs are back in AFC Champions League Two action on Wednesday and Thursday, 14 and 15 October, for the second round of East Region group games. Indonesia's Persib Bandung start the matchday as the only SEA side with a win, while Singapore's Lion City Sailors and Tampines Rovers, Thailand's BG Pathum United and Vietnam's The Cong-Viettel are all looking to build on their openers.

Persib defend top spot against Viettel

Persib set the early pace in Group E with a 1-0 win away to South Korea's FC Seoul in September, a result Indonesian media hailed as historic. Igor Tolic's side now host Vietnam's The Cong-Viettel in Bandung on Wednesday, 14 October, at 8.15pm Malaysia time.

Melbourne Victory host FC Seoul earlier on Wednesday in the other Group E game, so a home win would strengthen Persib's grip on first place. Persib are also competing in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup, where they beat Thailand's Port 3-1 in their first group match.

Sailors head to Hong Kong in form

Lion City Sailors drew 1-1 with BG Pathum United on matchday one of Group F and travel to Hong Kong to face Tai Po on Thursday, 15 October, with kick-off at 6pm Malaysia and Singapore time.

The Sailors arrive on the back of a 6-1 Singapore Premier League win over Young Lions on 11 October, in which Guadeloupe winger Matthias Phaeton scored twice and set up two more. That came two days after a narrow defeat to Cong An Ha Noi in their Shopee Cup opener. Tai Po lost 3-0 to Adelaide United in their first ACL Two match.

BG Pathum United, the other SEA club in Group F, host Adelaide United at 8.15pm Malaysia time on Thursday. The Australian side lead the group after their opening win.

Tampines face Japanese test

Tampines Rovers face one of the toughest assignments of the round when they host Japan's Machida Zelvia in Group G on Thursday at 8.15pm. The Stags lost their opener to Shanghai Shenhua, who were lifted to victory by a Yang Shuai header, so they are still looking for their first point.

Svay Rieng, who were beaten 6-0 by Johor Darul Ta'zim in the Shopee Cup earlier this month, host Shanghai Shenhua at the same time.

Kuching City and Phnom Penh Crown in Group H

In Group H, Cambodia's Phnom Penh Crown lead after beating Malaysia's Kuching City 2-1 with a stoppage-time winner. Phnom Penh Crown visit Gangwon FC at 6pm Malaysia time on Thursday, while Kuching City host Kitchee at Stadium Taha Ariffin from 8.15pm.

How to follow in Malaysia

All times above are Malaysia time (UTC+8). Astro holds the Malaysian rights to AFC club competitions, including ACL Two, through to the end of the 2028-29 season, with coverage across its Arena and Football channels and the Astro GO and sooka platforms. The top two in each group advance to the knockout stage.

Key takeaways

• Persib, 1-0 winners at FC Seoul, host The Cong-Viettel on 14 October at 8.15pm Malaysia time.
• Lion City Sailors visit Tai Po on 15 October at 6pm after a 1-1 opening draw with BG Pathum.
• Tampines Rovers host Machida Zelvia and BG Pathum host Adelaide United, both at 8.15pm on 15 October.
• Phnom Penh Crown lead Group H and visit Gangwon as Kuching City host Kitchee.

FAQ

Which Southeast Asian club leads its ACL Two group? Persib Bandung top Group E after a 1-0 win away to FC Seoul, and Phnom Penh Crown lead Group H after beating Kuching City.

When do Lion City Sailors play Tai Po? On Thursday, 15 October 2026, at 6pm Malaysia and Singapore time in Hong Kong.

How many teams qualify from each ACL Two group? The top two in each group reach the knockout stage.

Sources: Detik, Lion City Sailors FC, RCTI+, CGTN, Wikipedia, Inside World Football