Jakarta, Indonesia – Dewa United has punched its ticket too the quarterfinals of the 2025-2026 AFC Challenge League, securing the top spot in Group E with a decisive 4-1 victory over Shan united. The commanding performance at the Kelapa Dua Sport Centre Stadium in Tangerang on Saturday, November 1, 2025, propelled the team to the next stage of the competition.
Under the guidance of head coach Jan Olde Riekerink, Dewa United amassed seven points in the group stage.The goals that sealed their advancement were netted by a quartet of players: Egy Maulana Vikri, Hugo Gomes, Alexis Messidoro, and Rafael Struick. Shan United managed a consolation goal thru Matheus Souza.
Dewa United finished atop the group standings on goal difference, edging out their closest rivals, Phnom Penh Crown FC, who also secured seven points. This tie-breaking advantage proved crucial in determining the group winner.
as group winners, Dewa United is set to face the second-place finisher from Group D, Manila Digger, a team hailing from the Philippines. Manila Digger also concluded the group stage with seven points, setting up an intriguing knockout clash.
The knockout stage,featuring a home-and-away format,is scheduled to take place between March 4-12,2025. This two-legged tie will determine which of these two emerging teams will advance to the semifinal round.
Dewa United will first travel to face manila Digger on their home turf between March 4-5, 2026. The return leg, where dewa United will host the Philippine side, is slated for March 11-12, 2026.
An engaging subplot to this matchup involves fellow Indonesian Super League team, Persib Bandung, who previously eliminated Manila Digger. Dewa United can draw valuable insights from Persib’s successful encounter.
Prior to competing in the AFC Champions League Two, Persib Bandung had to overcome Manila digger in the ACL Two playoff round in August 2025. Persib emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline, which relegated the Philippine club to the third-tier asian club competition.
Head coach Jan Olde Riekerink has expressed his intention to study Persib Bandung’s strategy against Manila Digger. He further hopes that Persib Bandung will also advance from their group stage, which would mark a historic achievement for Indonesian football with two representatives progressing together in Asia’s premier inter-club competition.
Riekerink commented on the potential for a shared success: I am happy that Indonesia will make history. If Persib Bandung finally passes,there will be two teams appearing in ACL two.
this scenario would represent a notable milestone for indonesian clubs on the continental stage.
Keep reading
