East Region Teams Punch Tickets to the ACL Two Round of 16!

SEMENYIH, Malaysia - The curtain has fallen on a gripping AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) 2025/2026 Group Stage for the East Region, with eight exceptional teams booking their tickets to the highly anticipated Round of 16. The conclusion of Matchday 6 on December 10 and 11 saw the region's top clubs emerge victorious from their respective groups, setting the stage for the Knockout Stage Draw on December 30, 2025, at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.

The intense battles across Groups E, F, G, and H have yielded a formidable lineup of qualifiers, highlighting the growing strength and competitiveness of football in the East.

The top two teams from each of the four East Region groups have advanced, ensuring a mouthwatering Round of 16. With the group stage now complete, all eyes turn to the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur for the Knockout Stage Draw.

The eight East Region qualifiers will be drawn against each other, with the Group Winners (Macarthur FC, Gamba Osaka, Persib Bandung, Tampines Rovers) pitted against the Runners-up (Công An Hà Nội, Ratchaburi FC, Bangkok United, Pohang Steelers) from a different group.

The Round of 16 will be played across two legs, scheduled for February 2026, marking the beginning of the pure knockout phase where every goal counts. The clash of football cultures and playing styles from the tactical mastery of East Asia to the passionate flair of Southeast Asia and the rugged resilience of Australia promises an unforgettable knockout round. Fans across the continent await to see which pairings will be drawn as the eight remaining East Region hopefuls continue their quest for continental glory.