Ratchaburi hosted Shanghai SIPG in the opening round of the AFC Champions League League Phase on Tuesday, but the hosts could not hold back the visitors. Shanghai SIPG took a 4-6 victory after a chaotic contest that swung wildly from end to end. P.O. Ampem scored three times for the hosts before the visitors finally found their rhythm.
Ampem opened the scoring at the 31st minute and added two more before half-time. To be fair, Shanghai SIPG looked unprepared in the opening exchanges, allowing the hosts to dominate the early territory. M. Ferreira picked up a yellow card at the 39th minute as the visitors tried to slow the game down. The hosts led 3-0 at the interval, buoyed by their attacking intent.
The second half brought a complete reversal. Wu Lei pulled one back for Shanghai at the 51st minute, and the momentum shifted. N. Rakotoharimalala then took charge, netting a brace to level the score before adding a third in stoppage time. The tactical shift was visible when Wu Lei was replaced at the 64th minute, a move that opened the door for the visitors to take control of the tie.
And here's the thing about the statistics: Ratchaburi had 53 percent possession and 106 attacks, yet they handed the game away. They hit the target nine times, but the goalkeeper made no saves. Shanghai SIPG, with fewer attacks, created six big chances compared to the hosts' five. They were ruthless in front of goal, turning limited opportunities into a comprehensive win.
The result moves Shanghai SIPG to third place with three points, while Ratchaburi remains at the bottom of the table with zero points. The hosts had won their recent friendly against Bangkok United, but they found no answer to the quality of the Shanghai squad. This defeat leaves them with a mountain to climb in the group stage.