AFC Champions League Two - Group H: BG Pathum United (THA) 0-1 FC Pohang Steelers (KOR)

#ACLTwo | Group H: BG Pathum United (THA) 0-1 FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) — AFC Champions League Two
Group H: BG Pathum United (THA) 0-1 FC Pohang Steelers (KOR)
Thu, 18 September, 2025

Pathum Thani: A dominant FC Pohang Steelers outplayed Thailand’s BG Pathum United but had to settle for a 1-0 win in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2025/26 Group H game on Thursday.

Lee Dong-Hyeop's first-half strike at the Pathum Thani Stadium ensured a winning start for the former Asian champions and will give the Korea Republic side a boost when they face the Philippines’ Kaya FC Iloilo in their next match.

While the visitors took control from the start, their only shot at goal in the opening period came in the sixth minute when Juninho tested keeper Slavisa Bogdanovic from 30 yards.

Stymied by the crowd of BG Pathum defenders in the area, Pohang resorted to long-range attempts, with Han Hyeon-seo’s 35-yarder in the 20th minute sailing over the bar.

The Thai side had better luck with their shots from distance as Gakuto Notsuda skimmed the bar from a direct free-kick from outside the area three minutes later.

Pohang came close to the first goal in the 27th minute when Kim Jong-woo’s shot from outside the box required Bogdanovic to be at full stretch to tip the ball onto the left post before it was steered away by defender Kang Hyeon-je.

The BG Pathum backline continued to be a stumbling block until Lee picked up a 41st-minute cross from Juninho on the right, shrugged off his marker and coolly volleyed from inside the area past a diving Bogdanovic.

The keeper prevented a second Pohang goal eight minutes into the second half when he covered the right post to block Lee Chang-Woo’s angled shot from going in.

Tomoyuki Doi’s attempt at an equaliser in the 72nd minute from outside the area was calmly fielded by keeper Yoon Pyung-guk while his counterpart on the other end produced two fine saves soon after to deny Cho Sang-Hyeok and Kim In-Sung.

Doi had the crowd on its feet in the 86th minute when he received a lovely through ball from Surachat Sareepim, went around Yoon and when faced with an empty goal, hit the side netting instead.

Group H: BG Pathum United (THA) 0-1 FC Pohang Steelers (KOR)

Group H: Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI ) 0-3 Tampines Rovers FC (SGP)

Group E: Tai Po FC (HKG) 2-1 Macarthur FC (AUS)

Group E: Beijing FC (CHN) 2-2 Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE)

Group G: Selangor FC (MAS) 2-4 Bangkok United (THA)

Group G: Persib Bandung (IDN) 1-1 Lion City Sailors FC (SGP)