Makassar, April 2, 2025 – Hanoi Police FC, riding a perfect five-win group stage record, traveled to Gelora BJ Habibie Stadium tonight but left with a 0-1 defeat to PSM Makassar in the Shopee Cup 2024/2025 semifinal first leg. PSM, missing head coach Bernardo Tavares due to a suspension, capitalized on a late set piece, with captain Yuran Fernandes heading in the lone goal at the 80th minute to punish a fatigued Hanoi Police FC defense.
Hanoi Police FC squandered a flurry of first-half chances despite losing star striker Leonardo Artur to injury pre-match. Nguyen Quang Hai stepped up admirably, creating danger, but PSM goalkeeper Arya Pratama proved unbeatable. In the 8th minute, Le Pham Thanh Long’s long pass found Le Van Do, whose trademark dribble ended with a near-post shot denied by Pratama. Four minutes later, Van Do’s through ball set up Quang Hai, who jinked past Syahrul Lasinari only to be fouled by Fernandes in the box. Referee Ryo Tanimoto awarded a penalty, but Alan Sebastiao’s low shot was read and saved by Pratama.
The pressure persisted. At the 27th minute, Hugo Gomes’ close-range header from a left-wing corner sailed wide. Six minutes on, Quang Hai fed Van Do, who nutmegged Fernandes but curled tamely into Pratama’s hands, drawing frustration from teammates. Hanoi Police FC’s best chance came at the 43rd minute—a dipping volley from Quang Hai off Van Do’s corner bounced wide, leaving coach Mano Polking clutching his head in despair.
PSM countered sharply. In the 35th minute, Rizky Eka Pratama’s cross eluded Victor Dethan at the far post. In stoppage time, Daisuke Sakai’s calm buildup and pass teed up Rizky Eka, who faked out Quang Hai but saw his shot smothered by Nguyen Filip. The second half saw Hanoi Police FC’s intensity wane, exposing gaps. PSM’s Victor Luiz tormented from the left, nearly assisting Sakai in the 58th minute, only for Filip to intervene.
Hanoi Police FC’s bench faltered as Dinh Trong, Thanh Long, and Phan Van Duc succumbed to injuries and fatigue, while Vitao and Alan Sebastiao underperformed. PSM pounced at the 80th minute—Fernandes rose above Vitao to nod a corner into the left corner. Six minutes later, sub Ricky Pratama breezed past a tired Hugo Gomes, but Abdul Rahman’s tap-in missed narrowly.
The 0-1 loss leaves Hanoi Police FC needing a two-goal victory in the April 30 return leg at Hang Day Stadium. PSM, meanwhile, notches their second straight win over Vietnamese sides, having thrashed Thanh Hoa 3-0 on February 5 to reach the semifinals. In the other semifinal, Buriram United beat BG Pathum United 3-1 in Thailand, with the return leg set for May 7.
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