PETALING JAYA: Thai giants Buriram United came from behind to defeat reigning Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) 2–1 in their AFC Champions League Elite clash at the Chang Arena on Monday, with Thai striker Suphanat Muenta playing a decisive role.
The visitors thought they had struck inside the opening minute when national striker Joao Figueiredo found the net, but the effort was overturned by VAR for handball.
Buriram also had an early goal disallowed in the seventh minute, with Brazilian striker Guilherme Bissoli’s finish ruled out for offside after a review.
JDT’s Spanish midfielder Ager Aketxe came close twice - first with a free kick from distance that struck the post, then with a cross that centreback Jon Irazabal headed wide.
The breakthrough arrived in the 27th minute when Spanish defender Antonio Glauder reacted quickest to turn home after Buriram’s Filipino goalkeeper Neil Etheridge spilt a corner from Arif Aiman.
Buriram responded strongly after the interval. In the 49th minute, Suphanat levelled the match with a composed curling finish past Andoni Zubiaurre following a through ball from Austrian midfielder Peter Zulj.
Four minutes later, the 21-year-old turned provider, sending a low cross across the face of the goal for Peter’s brother and midfielder Robert Zulj to convert and put the hosts in front.
JDT coach Xisco Munoz introduced Spanish wingback Raul Parra in the 57th minute, and the change sparked a series of attacks down the right flank.
Figueiredo went closest to restoring parity, heading Aketxe’s cross onto the bar in the 67th minute before being denied by a superb reflex save from Etheridge in the 80th.
JDT briefly feared conceding a penalty in the 75th minute when Parra challenged Supachai Chaided in the box, but referee Alireza Faghani overturned the initial decision after a VAR review.
Substitute Brazilian striker Bergson Da Silva thought he got the equaliser for JDT in injury time, but Etheridge again pulled off an unbelievable save to deny JDT points from their first group game.
Despite late pressure from the visitors, Buriram held on for all three points, with Suphanat’s goal and assist proving the difference on the night.
