PHNOM PENH, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Host Phnom Penh Crown FC drew 3-3 with Kitchee SC of Hong Kong, China, in their preliminary-stage match of the AFC Women's Champions League at the Olympic Stadium on Thursday night.

Kitchee struck twice in quick succession in the first half, with goals from midfielder Cheung Wai Ki in the 28th minute and defender Chu So Kwan in the 31st minute. Phnom Penh Crown responded in the 33rd minute when striker Kuroki Airi headed in to cut the deficit.

The home side then rallied in the closing minutes. Defender Vibol Serysitha leveled the score in the 82nd minute, and midfielder Poeurn Kunthea fired Phnom Penh Crown into the lead four minutes later. But Kitchee salvaged a point deep into stoppage time, as forward Kwong Wing Yan equalized in the 93rd minute.

Phnom Penh Crown sits in Group E of the preliminary stage alongside East Bengal FC of India and Kitchee. Only the group winner will progress to the next round. On Monday, Phnom Penh Crown lost 1-0 to East Bengal.

A total of 19 clubs are competing in the preliminary stage from Aug. 25-31, divided into five groups.

The five group winners will qualify for the group stage, where they will join seven of Asia's top-ranked clubs: Melbourne City FC of Australia, Suwon FC Women of South Korea, Tokyo Verdy Beleza of Japan, defending champions Wuhan Jiangda Women's FC of China, Ho Chi Minh City Women's FC of Vietnam, Bam Khatoon FC of Iran, and a representative from the United Arab Emirates.

Those 12 teams will contest the main tournament, scheduled to begin in November.