Captain Faisal Halim scored twice in nine second half minutes as Selangor FC surged to the top of the standings in Group A of the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ on Wednesday with a 2-0 win over Công An Hà Nội FC at MBPJ Stadium.
The Malaysia international struck in the 60th and 69th minutes to down last year’s Shopee Cup™ runners-up and move his side onto eight points from four matches in coach Kim Pan-gon’s first game in charge in the competition.
The result leaves Công An Hà Nội’s hopes of a return to the final in tatters with Mano Pölking’s V.League 1 outfit dropping to fifth in the standings on four points, four behind Selangor with one round of matches remaining and out of contention for a semi-final berth.
“Tonight's game was a decisive game for us,” said Faisal, who was named Shopee Star of the Match. “The three points are vital for the team and I hope all my teammates will not let their guard down. We still have one important game to determine whether we can qualify for the semi-finals or not.”
The hosts had shaded the opening 45 minutes, with Chrigor Moraes clipping his effort across the face of goal from the left side in the 34th minute having been released behind the Công An Hà Nội defence by Alvin Fortes.
Rogério Alves threatened at the other end moments later when he was played in on the Selangor defence, but the Brazilian telegraphed his intentions and Kalamullah Al-Hafiz dropped to his left to collect a shot that was destined for the bottom corner.
Selangor continued to push for the opener, with Fortes’ attempt blocked for a corner at which Mamadou Diarra rose highest, only for his header to be plucked out of the sky by goalkeeper Filip Nguyễn.
Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh was denied four minutes after the interval by a fine save from Kalamullah, the Selangor goalkeeper tipping over the bar after the Vietnam international swivelled to steer the ball at shoulder height towards the target from eight yards out.
The home side broke the deadlock on the hour mark and it was captain Faisal who made the difference.
Fortes was released down the right flank by a searching ball from deep and, after cutting inside, goalkeeper Filip threw himself at full stretch to keep out the forward’s shot only for Faisal to race in and tuck home the rebound.
Moraes should have doubled the lead five minutes later when he muscled his way past Việt Anh but he could only thump his right-footed strike over the bar.
The second did arrive in the 69th minute, with Faisal delivering again. Fortes won the ball deep inside the opposition half before feeding Hugo Boumous and his lay-off was thumped first time into the bottom corner by Faisal from distance to earn Selangor a vital win.
Selangor will face second-placed BG Pathum United in their last group match next Wednesday.
Shopee Star of the Match - Faisal Halim (#7), Selangor FC
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