By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Philippines representative United City Football Club is still yet to win a single match in the ongoing 2022 AFC Champions League group stages.
The former Ceres-Negros FC fell at the hands of BG Pathum United for the second time, 3-1, held at the Pathum Thani Stadium in Thailand.
Despite a tighter defensive outing for the Filipinos, the Thai League 1 squad still pulled off several goals and penetrated through the United City backline.
Singaporean forward Ikhsan Fandi became the focal point of BG Pathum’s offense after scoring a brace in the 29th and 39th minutes of the first half.
Fandi displayed his terrific individual skills and shot past United City’s goalkeeper Anthony Pinthus in both his offensive possessions.
After receiving the ball in the middle field, Fandi began to operate and got past several United City defenders before unleashing his goal against Pinthus.
Before Fandi, it was BG Pathum’s Brazilian player Diogo Luis Santo who drew first blood 17 minutes after the whistle.
Down 0-3 and eager to break the scoring column in their last three matches, United City’s Mark Hartmann found the back of the net in the 79th minute.
However, time was not on United City’s side and failed to spark a late offensive flurry to stay at the bottom of Group G.
United City will still have a chance to at least salvage its 2022 AFCCL campaign with one win as they take on the Jeonnam Dragons tomorrow.
