The road to continental glory continued for Bangkok United as they secured a crucial 2-1 home victory over Singapore’s Tampines Rovers in the first leg of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 Quarter-Finals at Pathum Thani Stadium, Pathum Thani.
The hosts started aggressively and nearly struck in the 3rd minute when Thitiphan Puangchan rose to meet a cross from Jakapan Praisuwan, but the Tampines goalkeeper, Syazwan Buhari made a comfortable save.
Bangkok United’s early pressure paid off in the 11th minute. Midfielder Nebojša Kosović powered home a header to give the hosts a deserved 1-0 lead.
Just minutes later, a defensive error from goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai almost gifted the visitors an equalizer, but he quickly redeemed himself by denying Trent Buhagiar.
The home side continued to press, and in the 18th minute Picha Autra capitalized on a costly mistake from the Tampines goalkeeper. After intercepting a misplaced pass, he unleashed a powerful right-footed strike into the net to make it 2-0.
Bangkok United maintained control throughout the remainder of the first half, with Filip Maia coming close from long range and another headed opportunity, but the score remained 2-0 at halftime.
In the second half, the visitors pushed forward in search of a way back into the game.
Their breakthrough arrived in the 80th minute when Trent Buhagiar intercepted a pass from Maia, drove forward, and fired a right-footed shot past Patiwat to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The drama intensified just one minute later. Maia miscontrolled another pass, allowing Hide Higashikawa to challenge for the ball before being fouled as the last man. The referee showed Maia a second yellow card, reducing Bangkok United to 10 players for the remainder of the match.
Despite heavy pressure from Tampines Rovers in stoppage time, including a dangerous late effort inside the box, Patiwat produced a crucial save to preserve the lead.
After a tense finish, Bangkok United held on for a 2-1 victory, taking a narrow but valuable advantage into the second leg.
The decisive return fixture will take place on March 12, 2026, at Jalan Besar Stadium, where Tampines Rovers will look to overturn the deficit on home soil.
Credit Photo : BUFC
