In their opening match of the 2024-2025 ASEAN Club Championship, Thanh Ha FC secured a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Shan United despite controlling much of the game. The match, held at Thanh Hoa’s home ground, saw the Vietnamese side overcome early struggles to clinch three vital points in Group A.
Thanh Hoa entered the match at a disadvantage, as the Vietnamese football season has yet to commence, while Shan United had already played seven rounds in the Myanmar National League, winning six and drawing one to top the table. Thanh Hoa’s coach, Velizar Popov, who previously managed Myanmar’s U23 team from 2019 to 2022, was well-acquainted with the opposition. Shan United, the dominant force in Myanmar football, has won the league title five times in the last six seasons, with a runner-up finish in 2018.
The home team got off to a slow start, struggling to find their rhythm despite the backing of their fans. Just five minutes into the game, Shan United stunned Thanh Hoa by taking the lead. Myo Ko Tun skillfully dribbled past captain Gustavo Santos in the center of the pitch and threaded a left-footed through ball into the box. Moussa Bakayoko latched onto the pass and slotted the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Trinh Xuan Hoang to open the scoring.
It wasn’t until after the 10th minute that Thanh Hoa began to settle into the game, creating their first dangerous opportunity in the 15th minute. A cross from A Mit on the right flank found Le Van Thang, who volleyed powerfully from close range, only for goalkeeper Kyaw Zin Phyo to block the effort.
Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Thanh Hoa struggled to convert them in the first half. Yago Ramos volleyed wide from inside the box in the 19th minute, and moments later, Luiz Antonio skied a shot over the bar from a promising position after a pass from Van Thang. In the 48th minute, Rimario chested the ball down for Doan Ngoc Tan, whose volley from close range was tipped onto the crossbar by Zin Phyo.
Shan United’s response was limited, with their best chance coming in the 36th minute when Bakayoko’s long-range effort forced a save from Trinh Xuan Hoang, who pushed the ball wide of the right post.
Thanh Hoa also had two potential penalties overturned by VAR. In the 40th minute, the referee initially awarded a penalty for a foul on Le Van Thang by Zwe Khant Min, but VAR determined that the Myanmar defender had made contact with the ball first. Another VAR intervention in the 50th minute ruled out a penalty claim for Rimario, who had been fouled in the box but was found to be offside.
Thanh Hoa’s persistence finally paid off in the 61st minute when Rimario leveled the score with a diving header, connecting with a cross from Hoang Thai Binh. With the pressure lifted, Thanh Hoa took the lead in the 72nd minute through a well-executed corner. Luiz Antonio delivered a near-post cross that Yago Ramos powerfully headed into the net, making it 2-1.
As the match wore on, Shan United’s players began to tire, leaving them unable to mount a serious challenge for an equalizer. Thanh Hoa sealed the victory in the 87th minute when Luiz Antonio unleashed a right-footed strike from 24 meters, sending the ball into the top right corner to secure a 3-1 win.
This victory places Thanh Hoa at the top of Group A with three points after the first round of matches. The group’s other fixtures saw Indonesia’s PSM Makassar host Thailand’s BG Pathum United, while in Malaysia, Terengganu faced Cambodia’s Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng.
The 2024-2025 ASEAN Club Championship features 12 teams divided into two groups. The teams play a round-robin format, with home and away matches determining the group standings. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, continuing their quest for regional supremacy.
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