Terengganu FC reignited their 2024/25 ASEAN Club Championship Group A campaign with a dominant 5-0 victory over Shan United FC at Thuwunna Stadium on Wednesday.
The Malaysian side took an early lead courtesy of a Safawi Rasid penalty, before Manny Ott extended their advantage with a stunning strike midway through the first half. A second penalty, this time converted by Akhyar Rashid after Zwe Htet Min was shown a red card, put Terengganu in firm control with a 3-0 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Ott and Akhyar each added another goal to complete the rout, while Zwe Khant Min’s dismissal reduced Shan to nine men. The emphatic win moved Terengganu to four points from three games, keeping them in contention for a top-two finish with two matches remaining.
Terengganu doubled their lead in the 25th minute after a brilliant move. Akhyar picked out Engku Nur Shakir on the right flank, who delivered a precise cutback into the path of Ott. The midfielder unleashed a superb strike into the top-right corner from just inside the area, leaving the Shan defense stunned.
The Turtles dominated proceedings, creating chance after chance. In the 40th minute, Akhyar nearly added another, but his powerful shot from the edge of the box was tipped over by goalkeeper Kyaw Zin Phyo. Things worsened for Shan just before halftime when Zwe Htet Min failed to handle Alif Zakaria’s deep ball and fouled Engku Shakir as he surged into the box. The defender was shown a red card, and Akhyar calmly slotted the resulting penalty into the bottom-left corner to make it 3-0 heading into the break.
Terengganu continued their dominance after the restart. They added a fourth goal in the 64th minute following a clever chip from Engku Shakir into the box. Akhyar reached the byline and set up Ott, who nodded home his second goal of the match.
Shan United rarely threatened but came close in the 70th minute when Bakayoko unleashed a low drive from 25 yards that struck the outside of the post after being set up by captain Nanda Kyaw. However, Terengganu responded almost immediately. A defensive lapse by Shan left Akhyar with a chance inside the box. Although his initial effort was saved by Kyaw Zin Phyo, he converted the rebound to score his second of the match and seal the comprehensive victory.
Terengganu will host Indonesia’s PSM Makassar on January 22, while Shan United will face Thailand’s BG Pathum United on the same day in Yangon.