Hide Higashikawa scored a hat-trick as Tampines Rovers FC fought back from going two goals down to hand BG Pathum United FC a 3-2 defeat at Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on Wednesday in Group A of the 2025/26 ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™.
Tomoyuki Doi had given BG Pathum the lead in the seventh minute and Raniel doubled the advantage 20 minutes later, but Higashikawa reduced the deficit in the third minute of first half stoppage time.
Further goals by the Japanese forward in the 61st and 78th minutes earned his side the win as the Singapore Premier League side moved onto six points from three matches in Group A. BG Pathum remain on four points.
It took BG Pathum only seven minutes to go in front when Sanchai Nontasila’s in-swinging cross from the left was only partially cleared by the Tampines Rovers defence and, as the ball fell at the feet of Doi, the midfielder swept his first-time effort home.
But within three minutes the home side were given the opportunity to level when Higashikawa was brought down inside the penalty area, with Jordanian referee Ahmed Al Ali not hesitating to point to the penalty spot.
Shah Shahiran spurned the chance, however, with goalkeeper Saranon Anuin guessing correctly to dive to his right to keep out a spot-kick that was destined for the bottom corner.
Irfan Najeeb’s drive from distance only just cleared the BG Pathum crossbar midway through the first half as Tampines Rovers continued to push for the equaliser but, by the 27th minute, the Singaporeans were further adrift.
Jaroensak Wonggorn toyed with the Tampines Rovers defence before feeding the overlapping Gakuto Notsuda and his first time cross found Raniel nine yards from goal, the Brazilian rising to power a header home.
Notsuda then rattled the Tampines Rovers crossbar with a free kick from 25 yards out as BG Pathum threatened to have the tie sown up before halftime.
Instead, Higashikawa halved the deficit with virtually the last kick of the first half, the Japanese forward bundling the ball over the line from close range after Trent Buhagiar had burst into the area and played an inviting pass across the face of goal.
It was Higashikawa who levelled for the home side 16 minutes into the second half as Tampines Rovers dominated after the restart.
Takeshi Yoshimoto’s deep cross from the left was recycled across the BG Pathum goal and, after Shuya Yamashita headed the ball into his path, Higashikawa threaded a low shot through the visiting defence to equalise.
There was even better to come for the hosts with 12 minutes remaining when Higashikawa completed his hat-trick to put Tampines Rovers in front.
Higashikawa allowed Buhagiar’s pass inside from the left to run through his legs before turning to hit a low, right-foot shot from outside the penalty area into the bottom corner, beyond Saranon’s desperate dive to secure a remarkable win.
Shopee Star of the Match - Hide Higashikawa (#25), Tampines Rovers FC
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