Buriram United (Thailand) vs Selangor (Malaysia). -- Photos courtesy of SPORTFIVE
SINGAPORE: Defending champions Buriram United FC rescued a point from their Asean Club Championship Shopee Cup 2025/26 Group A opener on Wednesday (Aug 20) as a late goal from Peter Zulj secured a 1-1 draw with Malaysia’s Selangor FC at Buriram Stadium.
The tournament returned for its second season with Tampines Rovers FC from Singapore handing DH Cebu FC a 3-1 defeat in Manila, while Thai League 1 outfit BG Pathum United FC came from a goal down to defeat last year’s beaten finalists Cong An Hanoi (Vietnam) 2-1 in Bangkok.
Buriram United needed a late header from Austrian midfielder Zulj six minutes into stoppage time to earn a draw against a valiant Selangor side, who had taken the lead through Brazilian striker Chrigor in the 38th minute.
“I think in the first half we had some problems with our game,” said Zulj, who was named the Shopee Star of the Match.
“We were 1-0 behind, unluckily, because we had some chances in the first half, and I think in the second half we put it all in. We showed our real quality, our playing style, and how we play football, and in the end it’s a draw. But I also think we deserved to win this game.”
BG Pathum United vs Cong An Hanoi FC.
Chrigor had put Selangor in front with a fine first-time finish, and Katushito Kinoshi’s side looked set to secure a famous win despite intense Buriram United pressure throughout the second half.
Zulj had different ideas, however, heading home a corner from his brother Robert deep into injury time to claim a point for the champions.
Tampines Rovers lead the early Group A standings following their 3-1 win over Cebu as goals from Hide Higashikawa and Dylan Fox put the Singapore Premier League side in command at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Shuya Yamashita’s long ball from deep released Taufik Suparno in the second minute, and, while he saw his shot saved by Rami Jeridi, Higashikawa slid in to slam the rebound into the roof of the net.
Fox added the second in the 19th minute, the Australian rising highest to meet Joel Chew’s corner with a powerful header from eight yards out that gave Jeridi little chance.
Esrom Paulos’ perfectly flighted corner found Abou Sy at the far side of the six-yard box two minutes later, and the Senegalese forward outleapt everyone to head in for the hosts.
But substitute Trent Buhagiar put the outcome beyond doubt seven minutes into added time with a clinical finish at the end of a rapid break.
BG Pathum United also secured three points thanks to Chanathip Songkrasin, who came off the bench to score twice for 10-man BG Pathum United and stun Vietnamese National Cup winners Cong An Hanoi FC in their opener at BG Stadium.
Also Watch: Video of winning goal Chanathip Songkrasin, who came off the bench to score twice for the 10-man BG Pathum United, in the match against top Vietnam side Cong An Hanoi at the BG Stadium in Bangkok (Wednesday, Aug 20).
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Cong An Hanoi FC took the lead at BG Stadium through Alan Grafite after 20 minutes, and BG Pathum suffered a huge blow when Matheus Fornazari was sent off for dangerous play just before half-time.
Chanathip came on at the interval and levelled the score with a fine strike after 58 minutes, before lobbing a brilliant winner past goalkeeper Filip Nguyễn in stoppage time to seal a remarkable victory for the home side.
The winners of the Shopee Star of the Match award for today’s games are:
Buriram United vs Selangor FC: Peter Zulj (Jersey No. 44), Buriram United
BG Pathum United vs Cong An Hanoi FC: Chanathip Songkrasin (#18), BG Pathum United
DH Cebu FC vs Tampines Rovers FC: Dylan Fox (#16), Tampines Rovers FC
Note: Group B will get underway on Thursday (Aug 21) night with Malaysian treble winners Johor Darul Ta’zim FC hosting Singapore double winners Lion City Sailors FC in a cross-Causeway clash, and Myanmar league champions Shan United FC taking on Cambodian Premier League champions PKR Svay Rieng FC in Yangon.
The other Group B match between Thai Premier League runners-up Bangkok United FC and V.League 1 champions Nam Dinh FC has been postponed and will be played in Thailand on Dec 17.
Match tickets are available for sale at each home club’s stadium box office and official websites.
For more information about the Shopee Cup™ and other Asean United FC events, visit https://aseanutdfc.com/ and @aseanutdfc on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
