Petaling Jaya – Selangor FC delivered a statement performance in the Asean Club Championship Shopee Cup Group A, defeating Singaporean side Tampines Rovers 4-2 at the MBPJ Stadium. Captain Faisal Halim rose to the occasion with a talismanic display, scoring twice and spearheading the Red Giants’ relentless attacking drive.

The win, Selangor’s first of the tournament, lifts them to the top of Group A with four points from two matches, while Tampines were left to rue costly defensive errors in an otherwise open contest.

Tampines began brightly, dictating early possession and forcing the game’s first corner within a minute. Yet it was Selangor who struck first. In the 17th minute, Faisal Halim, released by Alvin Fortes down the left, saw his cross deflect off defender Shuya Yamashita and wrong-foot goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari to make it 1-0.

The opener unsettled the visitors, and Selangor quickly doubled their advantage. In the 29th minute, Brazilian forward Chrigor Moraes pressed high up the pitch, dispossessing Yamashita before feeding Zach Clough, who finished calmly to put Selangor 2-0 up.

Tampines were handed a way back just before halftime. Ghanaian centre-back Richmond Ankrah fouled Koya Kazama inside the box, and the Japanese playmaker converted the penalty in the 41st minute to reduce the deficit. Ankrah nearly made amends immediately, but his free header from Faisal’s corner sailed wide as Selangor went into the break 2-1 ahead.

Selangor started the second half with urgency. Moraes and Fortes both tested the Tampines defence before Faisal struck again in the 50th minute, latching onto Clough’s unselfish pass to restore the two-goal cushion.

Their pressing game continued to cause havoc, and in the 57th minute Moraes forced another defensive mistake before squaring for Fortes, who slotted home for 4-1. VAR briefly delayed the celebrations but the goal stood.

Tampines responded in the 65th minute, when Hide Higashikawa finished off a neat move involving Trent to make it 4-2. But any hopes of a comeback were quelled as Selangor, marshalled by Faisal’s leadership and tempo, managed the remainder of the game with composure.

Tampines head coach Noh Rahman lamented his side’s costly mistakes: “We let ourselves down in the transition moments. Selangor capitalised on every error. At this level, you get punished.”

Selangor boss Katsuhito Kinoshi praised his side’s resilience after two defeats in previous outings: “I’m very proud of my players. This win is huge because it proves our mentality is strong. We must recover quickly and keep this mindset for the next matches.”

Beyond his brace, Faisal was central to Selangor’s dominance, orchestrating attacks, pressing high, and inspiring teammates. Speaking post-match, the captain downplayed personal accolades: “The most important thing is team performance. Tonight, everyone gave their best for the club and the fans. This win is for them.”

In a six-goal thriller, Selangor’s high pressing, wing play, and clinical finishing proved decisive. Tampines showed glimpses of quality but were undone by defensive errors and Selangor’s intensity in transition.

The Red Giants now sit top of Shopee Cup Group A, buoyed by a captain’s performance that could mark a turning point in their campaign.

Photo Credit: ASEAN United