The opening matchday of the inaugural ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ drew to a conclusion with several players shining for their respective teams.
Six matches in two groups across three different nations witnessed plenty of top-class action where some individuals delivered outstanding performances.
ASEAN United FC throws the spotlight on the six players who were named the Shopee Star of the Match in Matchday One. Cast your vote for your favourite performer at the foot of the article!
Rimario Gordon (Đông Á Thanh Hóa FC)
One of the most prolific goalscorers in V.League 1, Rimario Gordon began the new season in a similar fashion for Thanh Hóa.
Trailing by an early first-half goal against Shan United, the Jamaican forward sparked the comeback on the hour mark when he beat the keeper with a diving header, eventually helping the Vietnamese club register a come-from-behind 3-1 win in front of their home fans.
Yuran Fernandes (PSM Makassar)
Newly appointed PSM Makassar captain Yuran Fernandes was solid at the back ensuring his team’s water-tight defence couldn’t be breached by a potent BG Pathum United side.
The likes of Ilhan Fandi, Chanathip Songkrasin and Freddy Alvarez were kept at bay by Fernandes, who has played every minute of every game in all competitions for Bernardo Tavares’ side helping PSM pick up a valuable point from their opening Group A outing.
Pablo (PKR Svay Rieng FC)
Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC’s Pablo just loves the Shopee Cup and he showed that yet again following up his four-goal blitz versus Young Elephants FC in the Qualifying Round Playoff 2nd Leg with yet another goal in the group stage.
Pablo doubled Svay Rieng’s advantage at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium when he latched onto Bounphachan Bounkong’s long-range effort which was pushed straight onto his path and the Brazilian was at the right place to punish the Terengganu defence.
Kei Hirose (Borneo FC Samarinda)
Kei Hirose delivered a midfield masterclass for Borneo FC Samarinda in their comfortable 3-0 victory against Singapore’s Lion City Sailors FC in Group B.
The Japanese midfielder controlled the tempo of the game throughout, not allowing the Sailors any foothold into the match while his cutback resulted in Borneo’s second goal as the Indonesian side began their campaign on a winning note at the Batakan Stadium.
Alan Grafite (Công An Hà Nội FC)
Alan Grafite only arrived at Công An last month from Binh Dinh FC but has already hit the ground running in his new home scoring the winner against Thai champions Buriram United.
With the scores tied at 1-1, Grafite expertly planted his header into the back of the net in the 66th minute delivering a glimpse of what is to come for the home fans at the Hang Day Stadium.
D. Kenny Pallraj (Kuala Lumpur City FC)
Kenny Pallraj has been a part of KL City FC’s successes in recent times with the defensive midfielder often an unsung hero for the capital city side.
However, against Kaya FC-Iloilo his combative display didn’t go unnoticed with the 31-year-old rewarded for his efforts as he was adjudged as the Shopee Star of the Match in their opening night win.
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