PETALING JAYA: Defending champions Buriram United took a significant step towards the final of the Shopee Asean Club Championship after a 3-1 victory over Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in their semi-final first leg at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Wednesday (May 6).
Brazilian striker Guilherme Bissoli opened the scoring for the Thai side in the 34th minute, calmly finishing off an assist from left wingback Sasalak Haiprakhon.
The Thai League champions stunned the home crowd again when midfielder Theerathon Bunmathan delivered a precise cross that found Serbian midfielder Goran Causic, who powered a header past JDT goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi.
Trailing by two goals, the Southern Tigers responded with greater urgency, but Buriram’s defence stood firm to repel the hosts’ attacking threats, led by Brazilian forward Jairo da Silva.
In the dying stages of the game, JDT’s Spanish midfielder Ager Aketxe reduced the deficit by scoring a beautiful free kick, but seconds later Buriram got their third goal, with Bissoli scoring his second of the night.
The second leg will take place at the Chang Arena in Buriram on May 13, where JDT face an uphill task to overturn the deficit.
