PETALING JAYA: Selangor powered to a commanding 4-0 victory over Dynamic Herb Cebu of the Philippines in their final AFC Champions League 2 Group H match last night.
However, the win proved insufficient to take the Red Giants through to the knockout stage as Muangthong United stunned South Korean giants Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors with a 1-0 upset in the other match, finishing a point ahead of Selangor to clinch second place and a spot in the Round of 16.
Needing a win to keep their hopes alive, Selangor faced a frustrating start against a defensively resilient Cebu side.
Despite conceding 15 goals in their previous two home games against Jeonbuk and Muangthong, Cebu managed to hold Selangor at bay early on.
Selangor’s first real chance came in the 28th minute when Nooa Laine won possession near the halfway line and surged forward, but his long-range effort was comfortably saved by Cebu goalkeeper Florencio Badelic.
Joy before agony: Selangor’s Alvin Fortes (right) celebrating with teammates after scoring against Dynamic Herb Cebu. — Selangor FC
The breakthrough finally came a minute before half-time.
Alvin Fortes delivered a precise cross from the left flank, finding Yohandry Orozco unmarked in the middle. Orozco made no mistake, directing the header into the top corner to give Selangor a 1-0 lead.
Orozco doubled his tally just three minutes into the second half, skilfully controlling a long pass from Laine before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Laine added another in the 57th minute, smashing a powerful strike from the edge of the box to make it 3-0.
The Red Giants completed their rout in the 79th minute when Fortes fired in a clinical finish, condemning Cebu to their third consecutive home defeat.
Despite the emphatic win, Selangor’s celebration were muted.
As the players returned to the dressing room, news broke that Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors had failed to stop Muangthong United from securing a crucial victory, eliminating Selangor from the tournament.
