SINGAPORE (6 February 2025) – BG Pathum United FC secured the top spot in Group A of the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ on Wednesday, with a 4-3 win over Terengganu FC taking the Thai side into April’s semi-finals as PSM Makassar also progressed with a 3-0 victory over Đông Á Thanh Hóa FC.
The results mean Group A runners-up PSM Makassar will face Group B winners Công An Hà Nôi in April’s knockout phase while BG Pathum United will have to wait until Thursday to learn their opponents with a solitary semi-final spot still unclaimed.
BG Pathum United confirmed their progress when Anthony Hudson’s side came back from going behind to hand Terengganu a defeat that ensured the Thai League One side maintained their hold on first place in the standings.
A moment of brilliance from Akhyar Rashid in the 66th minute gave Terengganu the lead at BG Stadium, the Malaysia international bending a right-foot shot into the top corner from a tight angle.
But BG Pathum United responded five minutes later when Raniel slotted expertly beyond Rahadiazli Rahalim, and the Brazilian struck again in the 76th minute to put the hosts in front.
Chanathip Songkrasin’s through-ball released Gakuto Notsuda to net BG Pathum United’s third in the 83rd minute and Ilhan Fandi scored the fourth with three minutes remaining before Safawi Rasid netted twice in injury time in a late flurry for Terengganu.
“We can score four goals and this is the most important thing, we got a good result,” said Raniel, the Shopee Star of the Match. “We stayed aggressive throughout the game and we knew if we did that we would get a good result.”
PSM Makassar confirmed their progress with a comprehensive victory over Đông Á Thanh Hóa in Gianyar, with forward Nermin Haljeta scoring twice.
Daisuke Sakai capitalised on a mistake by goalkeeper Trinh Xuan Hoang to put PSM Makassar in front in first half injury time, the Japanese playmaker rolling the ball into an empty net after the Indonesian side were gifted possession on the edge of the penalty area.
Two minutes into the second half PSM Makassar doubled the lead when Haljeta stroked home Victor Luiz’s low centre from the left and the Slovenian hit his second of the game in the 76th minute after being found in the penalty area by Rizky Eka Pratama.
“It was a hard match against a good opponent but we gave our best, and I think we deserved to win,” said Haljeta. “I feel great [scoring two goals], especially because we won and because with this win we are through to the next stage of the competition.”
PKR Svay Rieng FC, meanwhile, finished their Shopee Cup™ campaign on a high as Pep Munoz’s side battled back to win 4-2 against Shan United FC, with Bounphachan Bounkong scoring twice as the Cambodians wrapped up fifth place in the group.
Today’s Shopee Stars of the Match are:
PKR Svay Rieng FC v Shan United FC – Bounphachan Bounkong (#17), PKR Svay Rieng FC
PSM Makassar v Đông Á Thanh Hóa FC – Nermin Haljeta (#99), PSM Makassar
BG Pathum United FC v Terengganu FC – Raniel (#75), BG Pathum United FC
The semi-final line-up of the inaugural Southeast Asian club championship will be completed on Thursday with the conclusion of matches in Group B.
Leaders Công An Hà Nôi will take on Borneo FC Samarinda while second-placed Buriram United FC face Kuala Lumpur City FC and eliminated duo Kaya FC-Iloilo and Lion City Sailors FC meet in Biñan City.
For more information about the Shopee Cup™, please visit https://aseanutdfc.com/ and @aseanutdfc on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and X.
