Selangor FC earned the last 3 points of this round but not enough to advance after winning Dynamic Herb Cebu FC, a club from the Philippines scoring 4-0 in the AFC Champions League Two 2024/25 Group Stage, Group H at Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila.
Facing a Cebu FC team that had already conceded 15 goals in their previous two home matches against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Muangthong United, Selangor came into the game with high expectations. However, the Filipino side demonstrated improved defensive discipline, frustrating Selangor early on.
Selangor’s first meaningful opportunity came in the 28th minute when Nooa Laine intercepted a pass near the halfway line and drove forward. The Finnish playmaker unleashed a shot from distance, but Cebu’s goalkeeper Florencio Badelic comfortably gathered the effort.
The breakthrough for Selangor finally came in the dying moments of the first half. A precise cross from Alvin Fortes on the left flank found Yohandry Orozco unmarked in the box. The Venezuelan midfielder directed a clinical header into the top corner, giving the visitors a deserved lead in the 44th minute.
The momentum carried into the second half, with Orozco doubling Selangor’s advantage just three minutes after the restart. Controlling a long pass from Laine, Orozco showcased his composure with a cushioned finish into the bottom corner.
Selangor’s dominance continued as Nooa Laine added a third goal in the 57th minute. The Finnish midfielder struck a powerful shot from the edge of the box, leaving Badelic with no chance.
The rout was completed in the 79th minute when Alvin Fortes, instrumental throughout the match, found the back of the net to make it 4-0. Cebu struggled to match Selangor’s intensity and suffered their third consecutive home defeat in the group stage.
Despite the impressive victory, Selangor’s hopes of advancing hinged on results elsewhere in Group H. Unfortunately, other outcomes did not go in their favor, and the Red Giants were eliminated from the competition.
Credit Photo : AFC
