The circle of contenders for the third most important Asian club trophy, the AFC 2024/25 Challenge League Cup, has narrowed to four teams. Clubs from Turkmenistan, Kuwait, Cambodia and Indonesia will continue to compete for it. This was determined by the results of the second quarter-final matches.

As reported, “Arkadag” was the first to reach the semifinals in the Western Zone, which twice overplayed Indian “East Bengal” in the quarterfinals. In the first match in Calcutta, Vladimir Bayramov's team won 1-0, and in the return match, held in Arkadag city, they prevailed 2-1.

“Arkadag's” opponent in the semifinals will be Kuwait's “Al-Arabi”, which defeated Oman's “Al-Sib” in the quarterfinals. The first match of these rivals in Kuwait ended with a minimal victory for “Al-Arabi” – 1-0. The return match in Oman turned out to be stubborn and very dramatic in its plot.

In the 23rd minute, Hussein Ashkanani put “Al-Arabi” ahead 1-0. In the 41st, Abdulrahman Al-Mushaifri scored a goal. A minute before the end of regular time, Abu Kamara scored the second goal against the visitors and sent the match into extra time. The 102nd minute turned out to be fatal for the home team, in which Sofiane Bouchard equalized the score, putting the Kuwaiti team ahead – 3:2 in the sum of two matches for the semifinal meeting with Turkmen FC “Arkadag”.

Founded in 1953, “Al-Arabi” Sports Club is the oldest in Kuwait. Its record includes more than 60 official trophies, including 2 international ones, won in 1982 and 2003 in the Champions League of the Persian Gulf countries. “Al-Arabi” participated four times in the Asian Club Championship and the AFC Champions League, and three times in the AFC Cup, in which they twice reached the quarterfinals – in 2009, when they lost on penalties to the Syrian “Al-Karama” – 4:5 (in regular time – 0:0), and in 2022, they lost to the Oman club “Al-Sib” – 1:2.

It is noteworthy that on November 1, 2024, “Arkadag” and “Al-Arabi” already met in Kuwait City at the group stage of the AFC Challenge League. And then “Al-Arabi” won 3-2.

“Arkadag's” first semi-final match with “Al-Arabi” will be held on April 9 in Kuwait City, and the return match will be played on April 16 in Arkadag city.

In the other semi–final, “Preah Khan Rich Svai Rieng” (Cambodia) and “Madura United” (Indonesia) will play in the Eastern Zone. In the quarterfinals, the Cambodian club in the sum of two meetings, won the “Shan United” team from Myanmar 6:2 at home and 1:2 by guest, and the Indonesian club was also stronger than the “Tainan City” team (Taiwan) in the sum of two games – 0:0 by guest and 3:0 in its field.

The first semi-final match between the teams of “Preah Khan Rich Svai Rieng” and “Madura United” will be held on April 10 in Cambodia, the second leg will be held on April 17 in Indonesia.

The AFC Challenge League final is scheduled for May 10, 2025.