Tajikistan’s FC Regar-Tadaz secured their place in the AFC Challenge League 2026/27 group stage with a convincing 3-0 victory over Maldives champions Maziya Sports & Recreation Club on Wednesday.

The visitors gradually grew into the contest after an evenly balanced opening, with Maziya creating the first meaningful opportunity in the eighth minute. Ibrahim Mahudhee tested Regar-Tadaz goalkeeper Severin Takam from distance, but the effort failed to trouble the Tajik side.

Regar-Tadaz responded with increasing pressure. In the 20th minute, Maziya goalkeeper Hussain Shareef was forced off his line to deal with a dangerous delivery from Daler Imomnazarov.

Azizbek Khaitov went close six minutes later when his long-range effort took a deflection off Mohamed Aiham Anwar and looped over the crossbar.

Maziya had another opportunity in the 28th minute when Mahudhee picked out Benjamin Kuku in the box, but the forward could not keep his header on target.

Neither side could find a breakthrough before half-time, with the score goalless at the interval.

Regar-Tadaz emerged from the break with greater attacking purpose and finally broke the deadlock in the 51st minute.

Khaitov delivered a precise lob into the penalty area for an unmarked Ozodbek Pandzhiev, who met the ball with a first-time volley and guided it into the bottom corner.

Maziya almost responded immediately. Three minutes later, Aisam Ibrahim reacted quickest to a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his volley was struck straight at Takam.

Regar-Tadaz continued to threaten and came close to doubling their advantage shortly before the hour. Khaitov worked his way into the penalty area before forcing Shareef into a low save.

Maziya held on until the final stages, but a defensive lapse in the 89th minute effectively ended their hopes.

Regar-Tadaz launched a swift counter-attack, with Pandzhiev laying the ball off inside the box for Sherzod Makhamadiev, who calmly finished to make it 2-0.

There was still time for a third. In the second minute of added time, Edimo Kingue cut the ball back into the area and Amirdzhon Safarov fired home from close range to complete the scoring.

The 3-0 victory sends Regar-Tadaz into the AFC Challenge League 2026/27 group stage, while Maziya’s continental campaign ends at the play-off stage.

Maziya Sports & Recreation Club are set to face Tajikistan’s Regar-TadAZ Tursunzoda in a crucial AFC Challenge League qualifying play-off, with a place in the competition’s group stage at stake.

The match is scheduled to be played at the National Football Stadium in Malé, marking another major continental test for the Maldivian champions. The fixture was arranged as a single-match preliminary-round tie, with the winner advancing to the AFC Challenge League group stage.

Maziya enter the contest after a strong domestic campaign that saw them crowned Dhiraagu Dhivehi Premier League champions. They also opened the new season by facing New Radiant in the Charity Shield before turning their attention to their continental assignment.

The visitors, Regar-TadAZ, arrive from Tajikistan with a strong recent record. The club were third in the Tajikistan Higher League at the latest available stage, having recorded seven wins, three draws and one defeat from 11 matches.

Regar-TadAZ also have previous AFC Challenge League experience, having competed in the 2025-26 group stage. They finished fourth in Group C after drawing with Muras United and suffering defeats to Safa SC and Al-Arabi.

For Maziya, the match represents an opportunity to return to the AFC Challenge League group stage and make a stronger impact on the continental stage after their previous AFC campaign ended with a 4-0 defeat to Kuwait’s Al-Arabi.

With no previous head-to-head meeting recorded between the two sides, the encounter promises to be a fresh battle between the Maldivian champions and one of Tajikistan’s established clubs.

The winner will secure a place in the AFC Challenge League group stage, making the Malé showdown a decisive night for Maziya and Maldivian football.

New Radiant Sports Club booked their place in the final of the 2026 Cup Winners Cup after defeating Odi Sports Club 5-3 on Thursday evening at Galolhu National Stadium.

Brazilian forward Dorielton Gomes Nascimento starred once again, scoring a hat-trick to lead New Radiant to victory. It was his second hat-trick of the tournament, further underlining his outstanding goalscoring form and strengthening his position as one of the competition’s standout performers.

The victory gave New Radiant six points from two matches, extending their unbeaten start and securing a place in the final with one group-stage match still to play.

Maziya Sports and Recreation Club has also already qualified for the final after winning both of its opening matches. Like New Radiant, Maziya sits on six points from two games and has one fixture remaining.

The two giants of Maldivian football will now meet in the final group-stage match, with qualification already secured for both sides. Although the result will not affect the finalists, the encounter is expected to serve as an important test ahead of the Cup Winners Cup final.

Meanwhile, Odi Sports Club and Buru Sports Club remain at the bottom of the standings after suffering two defeats each and have been eliminated from title contention.

With the finalists confirmed, anticipation is building for the showdown between New Radiant and Maziya, who are set to face each other twice, first in their remaining group-stage fixture and then again in the 2026 Cup Winners Cup final.