​Tough Draw for Indonesian Clubs as Persib Lands in Difficult Group in ASEAN Club Championship

The ASEAN Club Championship, organized by the ASEAN Football Federation, has completed its draw for the 2026/2027 season, setting the stage for another competitive edition featuring top clubs from across Southeast Asia. Indonesia will once again be represented by two teams, Persib Bandung and Borneo FC Samarinda, who earned their places through strong domestic performances. The competition continues its evolution as a full-season tournament format, bringing together league champions and high-ranked sides from the region.
Persib Bandung faces a particularly challenging path after being placed in a highly competitive group. Their opponents include regional powerhouses such as Johor Darul Ta'zim and Singapore champions Lion City Sailors FC, both known for their strong squads and continental experience. Cambodian champions PKR Svay Rieng complete the group, making it one of the most demanding pools in the tournament. The situation places significant pressure on Persib to maintain consistency if they aim to advance.
Meanwhile, Borneo FC Samarinda also received a tough draw in their group, where they will compete against several strong Southeast Asian clubs. One of their main challenges will come from Thailand’s dominant side Buriram United, a team with a strong track record in regional competitions. They are also set to face Ratchaburi, a club that previously eliminated Persib in continental play, adding an extra layer of intensity to the matchup. Kuching City FC from Malaysia further strengthens the competitiveness of the group.
Group A brings together a wide mix of established and emerging clubs across the region, including Buriram United, Ratchaburi FC, Kuching City FC, Tampines Rovers FC, a Vietnamese cup winner, Borneo FC Samarinda, and a playoff qualifier. The depth of quality across the group suggests a highly unpredictable battle for qualification spots, with little margin for error for any team involved.
Group B is equally demanding, featuring clubs such as Johor Darul Ta'zim, Lion City Sailors FC, Cong An Ha Noi FC, Port FC, PKR Svay Rieng, Persib Bandung, and an additional playoff winner. With multiple league champions grouped together, the competition is expected to be intense from the opening matches, requiring both Indonesian clubs to perform at their highest level to secure progression to the knockout stage.