Thailand, 20 August, 2025 – Hanoi Police FC suffered a dramatic 1-2 defeat to BG Pathum United in their opening match of Shopee Cup 2025/26, despite holding an early lead and enjoying a man advantage for most of the game.
Playing away in Thailand, Hanoi Police FC entered the match as slight favorites and quickly showed their intent. In the 20th minute, striker Alan broke the deadlock with a clinical finish to put the visitors ahead. The Brazilian forward nearly doubled the lead shortly after but squandered a golden opportunity in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper.
The turning point of the first half came in the closing minutes, when BG Pathum United’s defender Matheus Fornazari received a straight red card for a high challenge on Nguyen Viet Anh. With a one-goal cushion and numerical superiority, Hanoi Police FC appeared poised to secure all three points.
However, the second half unfolded in unexpected fashion. Just two minutes after being introduced, Thailand international Chanathip Songkrasin produced a moment of brilliance in the 58th minute. Collecting the ball outside the penalty area, he unleashed a sharp left-footed strike into the near corner, leaving goalkeeper Filip Nguyen with no chance.
The equalizer did not dampen Hanoi Police FC’s dominance in possession and territorial advantage. Coach Mano Polking’s side pushed forward relentlessly, creating a series of promising opportunities, yet their finishing once again proved wasteful. Despite their overwhelming pressure, the decisive second goal never arrived.
Instead, disaster struck deep into stoppage time. With nearly the last kick of the match, Chanathip once again stepped up for the Thai side, this time executing a delicate lob over Filip Nguyen to complete his brace and seal a stunning comeback victory for BG Pathum United.
The final whistle confirmed a painful 1-2 defeat for Hanoi Police FC, who had every reason to be disappointed after failing to capitalize on their advantages. Not only did they surrender a lead and squander a numerical edge, but they also missed a crucial chance to start their Shopee Cup 2025/26 campaign with momentum.
This loss leaves coach Polking and his players facing significant pressure in the remaining group stage fixtures. In a competition where only the top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals, every dropped point could prove decisive. For Hanoi Police FC, the challenge now is to quickly regroup, sharpen their finishing, and avoid further costly slip-ups if they hope to progress in this year’s tournament.
Hong Phuc
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