Thailand’s BG Pathum United advanced to the semifinals of the 2024/25 ASEAN Club Championship as Group A winners after a thrilling 4-3 victory over Malaysia’s Terengganu FC at the BG Stadium in Pathum Thani on Wednesday.
The hosts, playing under new head coach Anthony Hudson, faced an early setback when Akhyar Rashid gave Terengganu the lead. However, BGPU responded emphatically with a quickfire double from Raniel, followed by goals from Gakuto Notsuda and Ilhan Fandi. Despite a spirited late comeback by Terengganu, including two stoppage-time goals from Safawi Rasid, BGPU emerged victorious and sealed their spot at the top of Group A.
The game began with BGPU dominating possession and creating chances early on. In the seventh minute, they thought they had taken the lead when captain Ikhsan Fandi turned in a cross from Surachat Sareepim, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Moments later, Raniel came close to opening the scoring when he unleashed a powerful strike from inside the box, only to see it rattle the upright.
The hosts continued to assert themselves, with Waris Choolthong narrowly missing the target in the 17th minute. However, a rare defensive lapse from BGPU nearly handed Terengganu the lead against the run of play. Goalkeeper Pisan Dokmaikeaw’s pass was intercepted by Ismahil Akinade, but the Nigerian striker failed to capitalize on the opportunity, sending his effort wide of an open goal.
BGPU resumed their attacking efforts, with Ikhsan heading over from close range and goalkeeper Rahadiazli Rahalim making several crucial interventions to keep the Glass Rabbits side at bay. Despite their dominance, the Thai hosts were unable to break the deadlock, and the first half ended goalless.
Hudson’s side started the second half strongly but struggled to create clear chances in the opening 20 minutes. Then, against the run of play, Terengganu took the lead in the 66th minute. Akhyar Rashid raced down the left wing, cut inside, and looped a deft shot over Pisan from a tight angle, temporarily putting the Malaysian side at the top of Group A.
The lead was short-lived, as BGPU equalized just five minutes later. Substitute Ilhan played a perfectly weighted pass to Raniel, who calmly slotted the ball past Rahadiazli to restore parity. The goal ignited the hosts, and Raniel struck again in the 76th minute, pouncing on a rebound after Santipharp Channgom’s initial shot was saved to put BGPU in the lead.
BGPU extended their advantage in the 83rd minute when Gakuto Notsuda latched onto a through ball from Chanathip and finished clinically from inside the box. Four minutes later, Ilhan Fandi added a fourth, capitalizing on a defensive error by Rahadiazli, who had come off his line to block Nattawut Suksum’s effort, leaving the goal unguarded.
Despite the two-goal cushion, Terengganu launched a dramatic late comeback. Safawi pulled one back in stoppage time with a deflected shot from the edge of the box, reducing the deficit to 4-2. Moments later, the referee awarded Terengganu a penalty after Pisan fouled Akhyar in the box, and Safawi converted from the spot to make it 4-3 in the dying seconds.
However, the late surge was not enough for Terengganu, as BGPU held on for the win. The result saw the Thai side finish their group stage campaign with 11 points from five matches, securing first place and setting up a semifinal clash with the Group B runners-up. Terengganu, on the other hand, finished fourth in the group with seven points, level with Cambodia’s Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng who saw-off Myanmar’s Shan United 4-2 in the simultaneous kick-off but three points behind second-placed PSM Makassar who thrashed Dong A Thanh Hoa of Vietnam 3-0, as their tournament journey came to an end.