Kuwait SC Crowned AFC Challenge League Champions Over Cambodia’s Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
Kuwait SC were crowned champions of the 2025–26 AFC Challenge League after defeating Cambodia’s Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng 4-3 after extra time, following a 2-2 draw in regular time, in the final held on Wednesday at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait.
Kuwait’s four goals were scored by Mehdi Barrahma, Mohamed Marhoon, Amr Abdelfattah, and Yousef Nasser in the 48th, 56th, 99th, and 110th minutes.
Meanwhile, Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng’s goals came through Tiago Alves, Ryo Fujii, and Cristian Roque in the 3rd, 9th, and 96th minutes.
Kuwait SC secured the fourth continental title in the club’s history, having previously won the AFC Cup on three occasions in 2009, 2012, and 2013.
The Kuwaiti side fell two goals behind after Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng opened the scoring in the 3rd minute through Tiago Alves, before Ryo Fujii doubled the lead nine minutes after kickoff. The Cambodian side maintained its two-goal advantage until the end of the first half.
In the second half, Kuwait reduced the deficit early on after Amr Abdelfattah delivered a cross from a direct free-kick on the left flank into the box. Taha Khenissi directed the ball towards the left corner, with the goalkeeper initially saving it before Mehdi Barrahma followed up to score in the 48th minute.
Kuwait equalized in the 56th minute after Abdelfattah advanced down the left wing and delivered a low cross towards the near post, where Mohamed Marhoon converted into the net.
Deep into stoppage time, the Tunisian striker missed a golden opportunity to snatch the winner when he sent his effort wide into the side netting in the 90+5th minute. The referee subsequently blew for full-time with the score level at 2-2, sending the match into extra time.
In the first period of extra time, the Cambodian side regained the lead in the 96th minute after Cristian Santos struck a shot that settled into the right side of goalkeeper Al-Khaldi’s net.
Kuwait responded quickly, leveling the score in the 99th minute when Abdelfattah received the ball on the edge of the area before unleashing a powerful strike into the top-left corner.
In the second period of extra time, Yousef Nasser scored Kuwait’s fourth goal with a header from a cross delivered by teammate Mohammad Daham in the 110th minute.
During the remaining minutes, the Cambodian side pressed forward in search of another equalizer, while Kuwait relied on quick counterattacks and created several chances, most notably through Abdelfattah, whose one-on-one effort was denied by the goalkeeper. The referee then blew the final whistle, confirming Kuwait’s dramatic 4-3 victory.
Kuwait SC had topped Group B in the group stage with seven points from three matches after defeating Lebanon’s Al Ansar 3-2, drawing 1-1 with Oman’s Al Seeb, and beating Bangladesh’s Bashundhara Kings 2-0. They then overcame Oman’s Al Shabab 5-3 in the quarter-finals and Thailand’s Muangthong United 2-1 in the semi-finals.