Selangor FC’s return to continental football ended in disappointment as they suffered a 2-4 defeat to Thailand’s Bangkok United in their AFC Champions League Two (ACL2) 2025/26 Group G opener at the MBPJ Stadium.
The visitors wasted little time stamping their authority on the match. In the 11th minute, Muhsen Al Ghassani slipped a clever one-touch pass to Ilias Alhaft, whose first shot was denied but he reacted quickly to bury the rebound for the opener.
Just four minutes later, Al Ghassani doubled the advantage, meeting Jakkapan Praisuwan’s cross with a powerful header to silence the home crowd and put Bangkok 2-0 ahead.
Selangor clawed their way back into the contest in the 23rd minute when Quentin Cheng delivered a precise cross for Chrigor Moraes, who tapped home to reduce the deficit to 1-2.
But hopes of a comeback were short-lived. Alhaft’s strike in the 24th minute deflected off Kevin Deeromram and wrong-footed the goalkeeper, restoring Bangkok’s two-goal cushion at 3-1.
Matters worsened for Selangor in the 39th minute as Harith Haikal received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Seiya Kunori, forcing the Red Giants to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Selangor showed spirit in the second half. In the 73rd minute, Chrigor Moraes tested Bangkok’s keeper Patiwat Khammai, and substitute Izwan Yuslan pounced on the rebound to pull one back at 2-3.
The comeback, however, was cut short. In the 84th minute, Bangkok United sealed the result when Philipe Maia rose unmarked from a corner to head home their fourth goal, confirming a 4-2 victory for the Thai side.
Credit Photo : AFC
