The footballers of the Turkmen club Arkadag successfully opened the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two 2026/27™. In the first match of Group B, which took place at the 10 thousand‑seat arena in the city of Arkadag, the local club defeated the 36‑time champion of Bahrain, Al Muharraq SC, with a score of 1–0. Mekan Saparov scored the winning goal in the 52nd minute, The Golden age electronic newspaper reports.
In a parallel match held on the neutral field of the Central Stadium in Hisor, Tajikistan, the tournament debutant, Golgohar Sirjan SC of the Islamic Republic Iran, drew 0–0 with Al Jazira Club of the United Arab Emirates.
Based on the results of the first round, FC Arkadag topped Group B with 3 points. The second and third places are shared by the Emirati Al Jazira Club and the Iranian Golgohar Sirjan SC, each having 1 point to their name. Al Muharraq SC rounds out the tournament table, remaining in last place with no points scored.
The matches of the second round will take place on the 14th of October. FC Arkadag will play away against Al Jazira Club on that day, and Al Muharraq SC will host GolGohar Sirjan SC.
The group stage of the tournament will conclude on the 9th of December, following which the two best teams from each of the eight groups will advance to the playoffs. The final tournament will be held on the 15th of May, 2027.
