RADARCIREBON.TV – Persib Bandung confirmed progress to the last 16 of the 2025/2026 AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) after appearing impressive throughout the group phase. The consistency of Maung Bandung’s game led them to emerge as champions of the east zone group, an important achievement that maintains Persib’s chances of going further in the second level of the Asian club competition.
Status as group top means Persib will face the second ranked team from another group in the round of 16. As the group phase matches finished, a number of potential opponents began to appear. From the eastern region, several strong clubs have the potential to become Persib’s opponents, including Cong An Hanoi from Vietnam, Ratchaburi and Bangkok United from Thailand, as well as Pohang Steelers representing South Korea. Apart from that, Tampines Rovers from Singapore was also on the radar for tight competition in the group phase.
Even though the list of potential opponents is starting to narrow down, Persib still has to wait for official confirmation through the drawing process. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has scheduled the draw for the last 16 of ACL Two on Tuesday, December 30 2025. The draw will be held at the AFC headquarters located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. From there it will be determined which opponents Persib will have to face in the first knockout phase.
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Persib’s success in advancing to the round of 16 this season also evokes memories of their journey in Asian competitions a decade ago. In the 2015 edition, when the tournament was still called the AFC Cup, Persib also emerged as group winners. At that time, Maung Bandung, which was strengthened by a number of key players, was able to collect 12 points from six matches and lead the Group H standings.
However, Persib’s journey to the 2015 AFC Cup ended bitterly. Their progress was stopped in the round of 16 after losing 0-2 to a club from Hong Kong, Kitchee, in a match which took place at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Bandung Regency. This defeat became a special note in the history of Persib’s progress on the Asian stage.
Now, ten years later, Persib is again in the same phase with a very different team condition. With more mature player material, richer international experience, and high self-confidence after performing solidly in the group phase, Persib is looking at ACL Two 2025/2026 with great optimism.
