A clinical brace from Chrigor Moraes powered Selangor FC to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Nam Dinh FC in the first leg of the Shopee Cup 2025/26 semi-final at MBPJ Stadium, Petaling Jaya.
Guided by head coach Kim Pan-gon, Selangor fielded a strong lineup featuring Moraes, Faisal Halim and Safuwan Baharudin, while the visitors relied on attacking threats such as Percy Tau and Nguyen Xuan Son.
Both sides struggled to find rhythm early on, with a rain-soaked pitch making conditions difficult. Nam Dinh created the first real opportunity in the 22nd minute, but Tau’s effort was brilliantly denied by Selangor goalkeeper Sikh Izhan Nazrel.
Selangor, however, made their moment count. In the 37th minute, Moraes opened the scoring with a composed finish after a precise delivery from Quentin Cheng down the right flank.
The Vietnamese side responded with increased intensity and found their equaliser before halftime. Nguyen Van Vi finished off a low cross from Tau to make it 1-1, ensuring both teams went into the break level.
Nam Dinh came out strongly in the second half, with Tau again testing Izhan, who produced another key save to keep Selangor in the game.
As the match progressed, Selangor grew into the contest, using the pace of Faisal Halim and the creativity of Hugo Boumous to trouble the opposition.
Their persistence paid off in the 58th minute when Moraes struck again — this time finishing another well-worked move initiated by Quentin Cheng — to restore Selangor’s lead at 2-1.
Nam Dinh pushed hard for another equaliser, with Tau coming close again in the 74th minute, but his effort sailed over the bar.
Selangor’s backline, led by Safuwan Baharudin alongside Quentin Cheng, Zikri Khalili and Mamadou Diarra, remained composed under pressure, repeatedly shutting down Nam Dinh’s attacking moves.
Despite late pressure from both sides, no further goals were scored, and Selangor held on to secure a narrow but valuable first-leg victory.
The return leg will take place at Thien Truong Stadium on May 13, where Selangor will look to defend their slim advantage and book a place in the final.
Credit Photo : Simon Yap/SNE-Photo
