Asian Challenge League Showdown: Kuwait Edges An-Nasr, Seeb Delivers a Nail-Biting Win in Oman

Group 1 Highlights

The Western Zone opened with solid performances from Arab clubs. Al-Seeb of Oman beat Paro FC of Bhutan 1-0 at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, thanks to a finish from Kinian Markineh from a 26th-minute penalty. In the same group, Altyn Asyr of Turkmenistan beat Abdysh Ata of Kyrgyzstan 1-0 on the same pitch, leaving both Paro and Abdysh Ata on zero points after the opening round.

The matchday was fast and could have produced more goals if not for sharp defending and timely saves. A powerful strike by Musab Al-Mamari from outside the box was parried by the goalkeeper in the 19th minute, and Markineh’s spot-kick sealed the victory for Al-Seeb, keeping them level at the top with Altyn Asyr after the first round.

Group 1 standings after one match show Al-Seeb and Altyn Asyr on three points, while Paro and Abdysh Ata open with zero.

Group 2 Highlights

Group 2 delivered drama in Kuwait. Al-Seeb staged a hard-fought 3-2 win over Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium. Nasser Al-Rawahi, Zaher Al-Aghbari, and Abd Al-Aziz Al-Maqbali scored for Al-Seeb (7, 60, 77 minutes), with Rafael Augusto and Rakib Hasan replying for Bashundhara (41, 53).

Kuwait SC also produced a thrilling home victory, defeating Al-Ansar of Lebanon 3-2 on the same venue. Ahmed Al-Dhifiri, Mohammed Daham, and Yusuf Nasser put Kuwait ahead (21, 52, 53), while Hisham Khalaf Allah and Mohammed Habous struck for Al-Ansar (7, 63 from a penalty).

As a result, Kuwait and Al-Seeb sit atop Group 2 with three points each, while Al-Ansar and Bashundhara have work to do ahead of the next round in midweek fixtures.

Group 3 Highlights

The third group brought a high-tension draw as Safa (Lebanon) and Al-Arabi (Kuwait) finished 2-2 at the Dullin Omarzokov Stadium in Bishkek. Tidyan Camara and Hassan Mouna scored for Safa (42, 45), while Anayo Ila and Zaid Qanbar answered for Al-Arabi (53 from a penalty, 69).

Rijar Tadaz and Moras United also shared the spoils, 0-0, leaving the table's top spots in a tight balance. Both Safa and Al-Arabi faced a further test in round two when they meet the other group contenders.

In short, opening-day results in the Western Zone painted a picture of intensity and surprise: goals, late twists, and a reminder that in the Asian Challenge League, every goal counts toward the knockout dream.

Punchlines by Sniper Style: 1) If group stages had a sniper, today’s shots were on target—three points here, a saved clearance there, and a defender left questioning his GPS for the nearest post. 2) Football in this league is a comedy of errors, with a dramatic finale: the crossbar is the only thing keeping the suspense from collapsing—until the net does the heavy lifting.