Pathum Thani: A late equaliser from substitute Sanchai Nontasila rescued a point for BG Pathum United against Đông Á Thanh Hóa FC in a 1-1 draw in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ on Wednesday, to leave the knockout round qualification hopes of both sides in the balance.
After Thanh Hóa captain Doan Ngoc Tan opened the scoring for the visitors in the Group A match against the run of play, BGPU substitute Sanchai grabbed the equaliser two minutes from time in a well-deserved draw for the Pathum Thani side.
The result leaves both sides on five points from three games, ahead of the remaining two matchdays.
BG Pathum United dominated the opening stages at Pathum Thani Stadium and it didn’t take long for Surachai Jaturapattarapong’s side to register their first shot, with Raniel Santana scuffing a shot from the edge of the box into goalkeeper Trinh Xuan Hoang’s hands.
The second shot arrived just three minutes later but Warinthon Jamnongwat could only register a tame effort when played through on goal. Another glorious chance for BGPU came in the 13th minute when a quick free-kick released Christian Gomis who stung the palms of Trinh Xuan Hoang with a powerful low drive.
BGPU defender Marco Ballini headed straight at Trinh Xuan Hoang from a free-kick, and in the 30th minute captain Kritsada Kaman tried his luck from distance with a free-kick that whistled past the post.
Thanh Hóa spent most of the first half compact, waiting for the right moment to counter. Luiz Antonio delivered a dangerous free-kick into the six-yard box from the left which was glanced over the bar on the stroke of half-time in one of the visitors' better opportunities.
In truth it was a feisty, stop-start first half with BGPU trying to break through a well-organised Thanh Hóa side and, despite the hosts dominating possession, both teams went in at the interval at 0-0.
It was a frenzied start to the second half with BGPU cranking up the intensity levels but Thanh Hóa, much like they had done in the first half, stood firm. Just 30 seconds after the restart, Freddy Alvarez’s fierce drive just narrowly sailed over the bar.
In the 56th minute, substitute Ilhan Fandi was sent through on goal but his shot was expertly blocked, signalling that BGPU were getting closer. The hosts continued to turn the screw as Raniel’s piledriver from the edge of the box left the goalkeeper scrambling, before another gilt-edged chance fell to his feet but his effort blazed over.
Thanh Hóa, however, grew in confidence and with the game stretched, started venturing into BGPU’s box more regularly. Their best chance of the match fell to Yago Ramos in the 69th minute. His brilliant header was heading to the top corner but goalkeeper Saranon Anuin was equal to it.
And a minute later, the visitors took the lead against the run of play when captain Ngoc Tan was in the right place at the right time to hit a super volley into the far corner after a flick on from Ramos.
BGPU frantically searched for an equaliser and went close but Santipharp Channgom failed to capitalise on Trinh Xuan Hoang’s scuffed clearance. It was followed by another chance from Randal in the 74th minute, whose effort went narrowly wide. Ngoc Tan had the perfect chance to seal the tie for Thanh Hóa but sliced his effort wide.
BGPU’s pressure eventually took its toll in the 88th minute when substitute Sanchai Nontasila bundled home after Ilhan’s shot cannoned off the post, much to the relief of the home support. It was the least Surachai’s side deserved.
BGPU’s next opponents are Shan United in Myanmar on Wednesday, January 22 while Thanh Hóa will host Svay Rieng in Vietnam on the same day.