Cebu FC's Search for First Victory Continues After Defeat in Thailand
Cebu Football Club's quest for an inaugural win in the Asean Club Championship Shopee Cup persists following a challenging away match. The Gentle Giants displayed courage but succumbed to a 0-2 defeat against Thailand's BG Pathum United on Wednesday evening, January 28, 2026. This result extends their winless streak in the prestigious regional tournament.
Strong Start and Defensive Resilience in First Half
Competing at the Pathum Thani Stadium, Cebu FC defied expectations during the initial half, showcasing remarkable energy and tactical discipline. The team did not appear as underdogs against one of Southeast Asia's elite clubs. New signing Kaito Asano emerged as a pivotal figure, injecting creativity and dynamism into the Cebuano side's offense.
Asano engineered multiple scoring opportunities, challenging the Thai defense with two notable attempts that unsettled the home supporters. His performance highlighted Cebu FC's potential to compete at this level. The first 45 minutes concluded in a scoreless deadlock, demonstrating the visitors' capability to match their formidable opponents stride for stride.
Second-Half Shift and Decisive Goals
The match's momentum altered dramatically after halftime as BG Pathum United leveraged their bench depth to secure an advantage. A strategic substitution proved effective almost instantly. Thai striker Kritsada Kaman, introduced at the start of the second half, unleashed a powerful long-range shot in the 56th minute.
Despite a valiant effort from Cebu FC goalkeeper Rami Jeridi, who managed a slight deflection, the shot's force propelled the ball into the net, granting the hosts a 1-0 lead. BG Pathum United later cemented their victory in the 78th minute through Ikhsan Fandi. The forward made an immediate impact, scoring merely two minutes after entering the pitch to double the advantage and seal the win.
Group Standings and Broader Tournament Context
This defeat leaves Cebu FC anchored at the bottom of the Group A standings with only one point accumulated so far. In other group matches on Wednesday, Selangor FC triumphed over Cong An Hanoi FC with a 2-0 score, claiming the top position with eight points. Meanwhile, Buriram United delivered a dominant performance, outclassing Tampines Rovers FC 4-1.
BG Pathum United's victory elevates them to second place with seven points, followed closely by Buriram and Tampines Rovers, both holding six points. The competitive landscape underscores the challenges Cebu FC faces as they strive to advance in this high-stakes tournament.
