HANOI (14 May 2025) – Buriram United FC’s Peter Žulj scored 11 minutes from time to earn the Thai club a 2-2 draw with Vietnamese hosts Công An Hà Nội FC in the first leg of the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ final on Wednesday and leave the tie finely poised ahead of next week’s second leg in Thailand.
The teams will reconvene at Buriram Stadium next Wednesday with the quest to secure regional supremacy still in the balance after a high-octane, end-to-end encounter at a packed Hang Day Stadium.
With Vietnam Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and national coach Kim Sang-sik watching on in the stadium, Leo Artur gave Công An Hà Nội the lead in the 18th minute before Curtis Good levelled 10 minutes later and, while Alan Grafite struck in the 35th minute to restore the home team’s advantage, Žulj’s 79th minute header means the outcome remains in the balance.
“Công An Hà Nội handled the game very well but we came back in the second half,” said Buriram United captain Theerathon Bunmathan. “We will do our best and try to get the trophy at home.”
Công An Hà Nội, who won 2-1 when the teams met during the group phase back in August, took the lead as Leo Artur completed a flowing move with a clinical close-range finish.
The home side moved the ball swiftly down the right flank, with Nguyễn Quang Hải slipping his pass through to Vitao, and he in turn delivered a first-time ball into the six-yard box for his fellow Brazilian to score.
Buriram United had been second-best throughout the opening exchanges, but the opening goal roused the Thai League 1 champions.
Supachai Chaided forced a sharp save from Công An Hà Nội goalkeeper Filip Nguyen, the Vietnam international dropping to his left to prevent the goal-bound shot from finding the bottom corner in 24th minute.
Four minutes later the visitors levelled. Žulj swung his corner into the penalty area and Good met the centre with a header that Nguyen was unable to keep out.
Công An Hà Nội reclaimed the lead 10 minutes before the interval when Alan Grafite capitalised on uncertainty in the Buriram United defence to bend a low shot around Chatchai Bootprom.
The home side maintained that lead with 21 minutes remaining when Nguyen kept out Lucas Crispim’s speculative shot from 30 yards, and soon after the goalkeeper was again called upon to act, this time denying Good’s headed effort.
Buriram’s equaliser did eventually come, however, when Guilherme Bissoli’s attempt was parried by Nguyen but, as the ball bounced back up off the turn, the on-rushing Žulj stooped to head in the rebound and set up an enthralling return leg in seven days’ time.
Today’s Shopee Star of the Match is: Nguyễn Quang Hải (#19), Công An Hà Nôi FC
The 2024-25 Shopee Cup™ is the first edition of the regional club competition, which brings together the leading clubs from across Southeast Asia.
For more information about the Shopee Cup™, please visit https://aseanutdfc.com/ and @aseanutdfc on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, X and LinkedIn.
