Ten-man Phnom Penh Crown FC showed impressive grit to hold Dewa United to a 1-1 draw in their 2025/26 AFC Challenge League Group E opener on October 26 at the Indomilk Arena in Tangerang, a result that highlighted both the Cambodians’ continental experience and the growing challenge Indonesian sides have faced against clubs from Cambodia in recent years.
The draw means both teams sit two points behind early group leaders Tainan City FC of Chinese Taipei, who defeated Shan United of Myanmar 2-1 in the other fixture.
For Dewa United, the clash marked their continental debut, but the Banten Warriors could not have asked for a tougher introduction. Their opponents, Phnom Penh Crown, were ASEAN Zone semifinalists in the 2023/24 AFC Cup, with the likes of Australia’s Macarthur FC and Singapore’s Tampines Rovers among the scalps that they’ve claimed during that run.
The reigning Hun Sen Cup champions started confidently, with Ukrainian forward Maksym Priadun curling a free-kick over the wall in the sixth minute, only for Sonny Stevens to gather it safely.
Dewa United soon began to assert themselves, largely through the energetic Alta Ballah, whose overlapping runs from left-back repeatedly threatened Crown’s backline. He came close twice — first flashing a shot wide, then forcing Um Vichet into a brilliant fingertip save that pushed the ball onto the crossbar.
As halftime approached, Egy Maulana Vikri became increasingly dangerous. The Indonesian international twice saw his efforts denied by Vichet and narrowly missed with a curling strike from distance, ensuring both sides entered the break on level terms.
Dewa wasted a pair of excellent chances early in the second half — Cassio Scheid heading over unmarked from Egy’s delivery, and Stefano Lilipaly choosing to shoot instead of squaring to Privat Mbarga in a promising situation.
Phnom Penh’s task grew harder in the 66th minute when Devit Yem was sent off for a rash challenge on Egy. Four minutes later, Dewa finally made their pressure count — a short corner routine freed Egy at the edge of the box, and his shot slipped through Vichet’s hands to cross the line for the opener.
But Oleg Starynskyi’s men, true to their continental pedigree, refused to fold. In the 75th minute, New Zealand international Moses Dyer outpaced Septian Bagaskara to meet Long Phearath’s cross, steering home from close range to salvage a deserved equalizer.
For Dewa United, the 1-1 result was a sobering reminder of how Indonesian clubs have often struggled to impose themselves against Cambodian opposition in recent seasons — a trend that Phnom Penh Crown, with their composure and organization, continued to reinforce.
With Group E now finely balanced, Dewa United will face Tainan City FC on Wednesday, while Phnom Penh Crown take on Shan United, both sides eager to build momentum in their pursuit of the knockout stages.