Substitutes Kritsada Kaman and Ikhsan Fandi produced second half goals as BG Pathum United FC comfortably secured a 2-0 win over DH Cebu FC in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ Group A on Wednesday.
BG Pathum United’s second win of the 2025/26 campaign at the Pathum Thani Stadium moved the Thai club into second place on seven points, one point behind new group leaders Selangor FC whom they will face in the final group match next week. The Thai side is looking to advance into the knockout phase for the second consecutive season.
Head coach Masatada Ishii produced two timely changes in the second half, which proved decisive as the home side translated their domination into three crucial points, with Kaman and Ikhsan finding the back of the net in the 56th minute and 78th minute respectively.
“It's good to get the win most importantly, and always a better feeling to help the team with a goal,” said Ikhsan. “We'll take it game by game. We've been playing quite well in our recent games and we'll bring this positive momentum into our game against Selangor.”
It was the visitors who enjoyed the first chance in the 10th minute . After dispossessing defender Nika Sandokhadze, forward Kaito Osano drilled a right-footed attempt from outside the box which goalkeeper Pisan Dokmaikeaw did well to palm away.
BG Pathum United eventually asserted themselves and threatened in quick succession. DH Cebu custodian Rami Jeridi caused some anxious moments in the 15th minute when he failed to cleanly collect a corner kick but the loose ball was cleared in time by his defence.
Tomoyuki Doi, who was lively spearheading the BG Pathum attack, was next to come close when his attempt sailed beyond the right post after some fine work by Phoutthavong Sangvilay down the left flank.
The visitors pushed forward at every given opportunity, with the enterprising Asano testing Dokmaikeaw in the 31st minute from outside the box and needed goalkeeper Jeridi to thwart a left-footed attempt by Doi in first half stoppage time.
The deadlock ended in the 56th minute, thanks to a long-range strike by Kaman. Allowed space outside the box, the Thai forward, who was introduced at the start of the second half, struck a powerful shot which Jeridi got a hand to the ball but failed to keep it from crossing the line.
BG Pathum United doubled their advantage in the 78th minute when another substitute, Ikhsan rose majestically to nod home a cross by Gakuto Notsuda after being on the field for just two minutes.
Selangor defeated Công An Hà Nội FC 2-0 in another match to lead the group with eight points while defending champions Buriram United FC defeated previous group leaders Tampines Rovers FC 4-1 to keep alive their hopes of advancing into the semi-finals.
Shopee Star of the Match - Kritsada Kaman (#5), BG Pathum United FC
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