SINGAPORE (23 January 2025) – Công An Hà Nội FC became the first team to book a spot in the semi-finals of the Asean Club Championship Shopee Cup™ on Thursday with Le Van Do’s late goal earning the Vietnamese a 3-2 win over Kuala Lumpur City FC to confirm Mano Polking’s side as Group B winners.
Victory moves Công An Hà Nội FC onto 12 points with one round of group games remaining, five ahead of second-placed Buriram United FC following their 0-0 draw with Lion City Sailors FC while Borneo FC Samarinda sit in fourth after their 2-1 win over Kaya FC-Iloilo.
Polking’s side will travel to Indonesia to face Borneo FC in the last round of group matches on February 6 safe in the knowledge they have already progressed while Buriram United host third-placed Kuala Lumpur City and Kaya FC-Iloilo entertain Lion City Sailors.
The top two finishers in the six-team group progress to the knockout rounds.
“This was a very important win for us,” said Polking. “We knew that this would bring us to first place in the group, to have the second game at home in the semi-finals. I believe the belief that we put into the second half was very important to achieve this win.”
Nguyen Quang Hai had given Công An Hà Nội FC the lead in the 10th minute in Kuala Lumpur, the Vietnam midfielder controlling Leo Artur’s ball forward with a neat first touch before sweeping a low shot into the bottom corner.
The advantage lasted only 14 minutes as Kuala Lumpur City’s Adrian Rudovic headed in Paulo Josue’s corner to level the scores while eight minutes later Josue looped his header over a grasping Filip Nguyen to put the home side in front.
The visitors equalised midway through the second half when Bui Hoang Viet Anh glanced Quang Hai’s corner beyond Hafizul Hakim and Kuala Lumpur City were to pay for late red cards for Kamal Azizi and Josue when Van Do scored from close range in the 91st minute.
Buriram United, meanwhile, survived the entire second half at Jalan Besar Stadium with 10 men to earn a 0-0 draw with hosts Lion City Sailors after Kenny Dougall was sent off for a late challenge on Maxime Lestienne in the 43rd minute.
Lestienne hit the crossbar as Lion City sought the win needed to remain in contention for a place in the last four, but the Thais held on to claim a point as the Singaporeans crashed out.
In Gianyar, Borneo FC took the three points after Mariano Peralta put the home side in front in the 28th minute, the Argentinian burying his low shot beyond Walid Birrou.
Kaya FC’s Jesus Melliza levelled with eight minutes remaining but Dwiky Hardiansyah restored the home side’s lead with a counter attacking strike in the 91st minute before Peralta was sent off deep into injury time.
Today’s Shopee Stars of the Match are:
Lion City Sailors FC v Buriram United FC – Maxime Lestienne (#17), Lion City Sailors
Borneo FC Samarinda v Kaya FC-Iloilo – Fajar Fathur Rahman (#56), Borneo FC
Kuala Lumpur City FC v Công An Hà Nội FC – Le Van Do (#88), Công An Hà Nội
The last matchday of the Group Stage will be played on February 5th and 6th.
Catch all the news and updates about the Shopee Cup™ on https://aseanutdfc.com/ and @aseanutdfc on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and X.