SINGAPORE: Brazilian striker Bergson scored a hat-trick to earn Johor Darul Ta’zim FC a 4-0 win over Bangkok United FC on Thursday night as the Malaysia Super League champions maintained its perfect start to Group B in the 2025/26 Asean Club Championship Shopee Cup.
Xisco Munoz’s side moved to the top of the standings with their second win in a row, and JDT sit three points clear of second-placed Nam Dinh FC, who kicked off their Shopee Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over Cambodia’s PKR Svay Rieng FC at Thien Truong Stadium.
Bergson inspired his side to victory with a scintillating individual display in the second half at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium against the Thai League 1 side, with the Brazilian scoring three times and also setting up teammate Joao Figueiredo to find the back of the net.
“After halftime was our best phase,” said Munoz. “We found some solutions in the game, and it was an amazing performance from the team. I’m very pleased with the players. It was a very good level.”
Bergson netted the opener a minute after the interval with a trademark strike from the edge of the penalty area before setting up Joao Figueiredo to double the lead six minutes later with a perfectly placed cutback from the touchline.
Bergson then added the third 17 minutes from time from close range after Bangkok United goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai had parried Arif Aiman’s shot from the right side of the penalty area into the striker’s path.
The forward completed his hat-trick in the 92 nd minute to cap a dominant display by JDT, rolling his effort into an unguarded goal.
Ten-man Nam Dinh, meanwhile, held on to a 2-1 victory over Svay Rieng as two first-half goals from Lam Ti Phong earned the V League 1 side a winning start to Group B.
Ti Phong’s rapid reactions unlocked the Svay Rieng defence in the 36th minute after A Mít’s initial shot had been saved by Vireak Dara, but when the ball was sent back into the box by Lucas Alves, the Vietnamese striker pounced to put his side ahead.
Four minutes later, Nam Dinh doubled the lead and their second goal came through a similar route as their opener.
Kristoffer Normann Hansen tried his luck from the edge of the area only to see the ball thump against the goalkeeper’s left post, but the rebound fell at the feet of Ti Phong, and he gleefully netted again.
Nam Dinh were reduced to 10 men in the 59th minute when Eid was shown a straight red card for violent conduct following an off-the-ball clash with Faris Hammouti, and the Cambodians looked to take advantage.
Matt McConkey’s side pulled one back when Patrick thumped an unstoppable strike from 25 yards that left the Nam Dinh goalkeeper rooted as it flew into the top corner, but the home side held on to take the points.
Today’s Shopee Star of the Match award winners are:
Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (MAS) v Bangkok United FC (THA) – Bergson Da Silva (#9), JDT
Nam Dinh FC (VIE) v PKR Svay Rieng FC (CAM) – Lam Ti Phong (#39), Nam Dinh FC
