Maziya Face Regar-TadAZ in AFC Challenge League Play-off Battle

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.