Thailand’s True Bangkok United kicked off their 2024/25 AFC Champions League Two campaign with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Singapore’s Tampines Rovers on Wednesday at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani.
In a match filled with excitement, the Bangkok Angels took the lead twice, only to be pegged back by Tampines each time before Richairo Zivkovic and Bassel Jradi secured the win for the home side.
Despite challenging conditions on the rain-soaked pitch at the Thammasat Stadium, Bangkok United started with energy. In the second minute, Zivkovic made an early impact, cutting in from the left and forcing a save from Tampines goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari at the near post.
Bangkok kept the pressure on, with Thitiphan Puangjan and Mahmoud Eid both testing Syazwan. The hosts nearly went ahead when a defensive mishap from Shah Shahiran saw the ball bounce off his own crossbar, followed by Thitiphan’s shot, which was cleared off the line by Shuya Yamashita.
The breakthrough finally came in the third minute of added time, as Pokklaw A-nan set up Muhsen Al Ghassani, who cut inside Shah and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Tampines responded strongly after the break, with Faris Ramli forcing Bangkok United goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai into a fingertip save. The visitors built on their momentum and equalized in the 53rd minute when Seia Kunori’s deflected shot looped over Patiwat.
Bangkok United regained the lead 10 minutes later when Everton’s header from a corner was finished off by Al Ghassani from close range. However, Kunori struck again in the 72nd minute with a long-range effort that flew past Patiwat to level the score.
Undeterred, Bangkok United pushed forward and were awarded a penalty five minutes later after Jared Gallagher fouled Zivkovic. The Dutch forward converted the spot-kick himself to make it 3-2, before Jradi added a fourth goal in stoppage time to seal the victory.