AFC Champions League Two 2025–26 Draw: Group G Becomes ASEAN’s “Group of Death”

The group stage draw for the AFC Champions League Two 2025–26 took place in Kuala Lumpur on Friday (August 15, 2025). A total of 32 teams from across Asia have been split into eight groups (A–H) in a home-and-away format, kicking off in September 2025.

For Southeast Asian football fans, all eyes are on Group G, which features four regional heavyweights: Bangkok United (Thailand), Selangor FC (Malaysia), Lion City Sailors (Singapore), and Persib Bandung (Indonesia). These matchups promise intense, pride-fueled battles in what is expected to be one of the most exciting groups of the tournament.

Full Draw – East Region (Groups E–H)

• Group E: Beijing Guoan 🇨🇳, Macarthur FC 🇦🇺, Tai Po 🇭🇰, Công An Hà Nội 🇻🇳
• Group F: Gamba Osaka 🇯🇵, Nam Định FC 🇻🇳, Ratchaburi FC 🇹🇭, Eastern FC 🇭🇰
• Group G: Bangkok United 🇹🇭, Selangor FC 🇲🇾, Lion City Sailors 🇸🇬, Persib Bandung 🇮🇩
• Group H: Pohang Steelers 🇰🇷, BG Pathum United 🇹🇭, Kaya FC Iloilo 🇵🇭, Tampines Rovers 🇸🇬

Group G: “Mini ASEAN Cup” with High Stakes

Many observers have dubbed Group G the “Group of Death” in this season’s ACL Two. All four clubs boast strong domestic track records, solid squads, and massive fanbases:

• Bangkok United – One of the Thai League’s most consistent teams, with prior AFC Champions League Elite experience.
• Selangor FC – A Malaysian powerhouse with a long history in Asian competitions.
• Lion City Sailors – Singapore’s top club and last season’s ACL Two finalists.
• Persib Bandung – Indonesia’s pride, fielding a star-studded lineup backed by the famously passionate Bobotoh supporters.

These matches will be about more than points—they’ll be about national pride. Each fixture has the potential to feel like a mini-final with a charged atmosphere.

Tight Race for the Knockout Stage

The format allows the top two teams from each group to progress to the Round of 16. With such evenly matched sides, predicting who will advance from Group G is extremely difficult. Even a single defeat could make the difference in the final standings. For Persib Bandung, this is a golden chance to prove themselves on the continental stage after an impressive domestic campaign. Home crowd support will likely be a major asset. Bangkok United’s coach, Totchtawan Sripan, called Group G “a group that leaves no room for mistakes,” while Persib Bandung head coach Božidar Bandović has been preparing strategies to counter Lion City Sailors’ fast play and Selangor FC’s tight defensive organization. On social media, fans of all four clubs have already begun trading predictions and playful banter. Many are calling for Group G matches to receive widespread broadcast coverage, given their high entertainment value.

Media Predictions: The Hottest Group in the Tournament

Several Asian football outlets are already labeling Group G as the most challenging in this season’s AFC Champions League Two. There is no “weak” team in the group—each has the quality to beat the others. Beyond the competition, Group G is expected to boost ASEAN football development by showcasing diverse tactical approaches, playing styles, and supporter cultures in one group. The draw has sparked plenty of storylines before the first ball is kicked. With group stage matches starting in September, Southeast Asian football fans are eagerly waiting to see who will emerge as the king of this “Group of Death.”