Selangor FC booked their place in the Shopee Cup 2025/26 final after producing an impressive away performance to defeat Nam Dinh FC at Thien Truong Stadium, Ninh Binh.
The Malaysian side entered the decisive semi-final second leg holding a narrow 2-1 advantage from the first meeting at Stadium MBPJ on May 6, but delivered a composed and clinical display in Vietnam to secure a commanding 4-1 aggregate triumph.
Both teams approached the encounter knowing it represented their final opportunity to lift silverware during the 2025/26 campaign, adding even greater intensity to the occasion.
Selangor once again relied on Brazilian striker Chrigor Moraes, who came into the match fresh from surpassing the legendary Bambang Pamungkas’ scoring record with his 40th goal for the club. Meanwhile, Nam Dinh head coach Vu Hong Viet placed his attacking hopes on Vietnamese international Nguyen Xuan Son alongside stars Percy Tau and Caio Cesar.
The home side started aggressively, attempting to break down Selangor’s defence through the movement and creativity of Xuan Son, Percy Tau and Nguyen Tuan Anh.
Former Baniyas Club midfielder Arnaud Lusamba nearly opened the scoring in the 13th minute, but his effort drifted narrowly wide of the target.
Despite Nam Dinh’s pressure, Selangor constantly threatened on the counterattack through the dangerous trio of Chrigor, Vitor Pernambuco and captain Faisal Halim.
Pernambuco came close to putting Selangor ahead midway through the first half, only for his attempt to be denied by Nam Dinh captain Tran Nguyen Manh.
The turning point arrived in the 40th minute when Japanese referee Koji Takasaki awarded Selangor a penalty after VAR detected Mitchell Dijks pulling defender Mohammad Abualnadi inside the penalty area.
Chrigor calmly converted from the spot to hand the Red Giants a crucial 1-0 lead on the night and extend their aggregate advantage to 3-1 heading into halftime.
Desperate to revive their hopes after the break, Vu Hong Viet introduced three substitutions, including former FC St. Gallen striker Chadrac Akolo.
Nam Dinh believed they had found a way back into the contest when substitute Lam Ti Phong scored, but celebrations were cut short after VAR ruled Percy Tau offside during the build-up.
Selangor were then forced into a defensive reshuffle after Pernambuco suffered an injury, prompting head coach Kim Pan-gon to introduce Zikri Khalili to reinforce the backline.
As Nam Dinh pushed desperately for a breakthrough, Selangor delivered the knockout blow in dramatic fashion.
In the 90th minute, Chrigor raced onto a long pass from Zikri before calmly finishing past the goalkeeper to seal a 2-0 victory on the night and complete a dominant 4-1 aggregate success.
The result sends Selangor into the Shopee Cup final, where they will face either fellow Malaysian giants Johor Darul Ta’zim or Thai powerhouse Buriram United.
The two-legged final is scheduled to take place on May 20 and May 27, with Selangor now just two matches away from lifting a major Southeast Asian title.
Credit Photo : SFC
