Terengganu FC's ACC Campaign Starts with a Shocking Defeat
The inaugural ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup 2024/25 started with a bang, but not in the way Terengganu FC (TFC) would have hoped. The Turtles, representing Malaysia in the tournament, suffered a surprising 2-3 defeat to Cambodian club Svay Rieng FC in their Group A opener at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium on Wednesday.
Svay Rieng FC, the Cambodian champions, came out strong and surprised TFC with a quickfire double by Brazilian-born striker, Gabriel Costa in the 12th minute, and followed by Pablo Augusto in the 15th minute. The early goals put the Turtles on the back foot, and they struggled to break down Svay Rieng's resolute defense.
The home side, led by Muhammad Safawi Rasid, reorganized their play in the second half and managed to reduce the deficit through Manuel Ott in the 55th minute. However, their hopes of a comeback were dashed when Min Ratanak scored Svay Rieng's third goal in the 86th minute.
Despite a late strike by Safawi Rasid, TFC was unable to stop Svay Rieng from walking out with a 3-2 victory and collecting all three points. The defeat was a major blow for the Turtles, who were considered the favorites in the match.
Analyzing the Loss
The loss to Svay Rieng FC highlights the challenges that Terengganu FC will face in the Shopee Cup. Svay Rieng, a team that had to go through qualifying playoffs, showed great determination and tactical discipline. Their aggressive start caught TFC off guard, and they were able to capitalize on their opponent's mistakes.
On the other hand, Terengganu FC struggled to find their rhythm in the first half. They appeared to be caught off guard by Svay Rieng's intensity, and their passes were often inaccurate. While they showed more composure in the second half, it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
What's Next for Terengganu FC?
The loss to Svay Rieng FC is a setback for Terengganu FC, but it's important to remember that the Shopee Cup is a long tournament. The Turtles have a chance to redeem themselves in their next match against Vietnamese side, Dong A Thanh Hoa, at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium on September 25.
The Turtles will need to analyze their performance against Svay Rieng FC, identify their weaknesses, and work on their tactics. They need to be more focused, determined, and improve their passing accuracy if they want to make a strong run in the Shopee Cup.
The upcoming match against Dong A Thanh Hoa will be a crucial one for Terengganu FC. They will need to bounce back from the defeat and show their quality if they want to have a chance of advancing to the knockout stages of the competition.
The Bigger Picture
Terengganu FC's defeat highlights the competitive nature of the ASEAN Club Championship. Teams from across the region are eager to prove themselves, and there are no easy matches.
The Shopee Cup is a chance for clubs from ASEAN to showcase their talent and ambition. It will be a fascinating competition to watch, with plenty of surprises and exciting matches to come.
The tournament will also be an opportunity for the region's best players to gain experience and attract attention from clubs outside of ASEAN. This could help to raise the profile of Southeast Asian football on the global stage and make it even more exciting for fans around the world.
As the Shopee Cup progresses, it will be interesting to see which teams rise to the challenge and emerge as contenders for the title.
