2026, MAY 06 – Defending champions Buriram United FC took a significant step towards another ASEAN Club Championship final after defeating Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (JDT) 3-1 in the first leg of their semi-final at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
Brazilian striker Guilherme Bissoli scored twice, with Goran Čaušić also on target, to hand the Thai League 1 champions a two-goal advantage ahead of the return leg in Buriram.
Ager Aketxe pulled a goal back for JDT in stoppage time, but Bissoli restored Buriram’s cushion almost immediately with his second goal of the night.
JDT were without leading striker Bérgson, who was absent from the matchday squad, but the hosts made a bright start and enjoyed much of the early possession.
Birthday boy Jairo, celebrating his 34th birthday, led the attack as JDT created several early opportunities through Marcos Guilherme, Ager Aketxe and Óscar Arribas, only to be denied by Buriram’s well-organised defence.
Arribas came closest midway through the first half when he fired narrowly wide, before Nacho Méndez struck the side netting moments later.
Despite JDT’s positive start, it was Buriram who broke the deadlock in the 34th minute. Sasalak Haiprakhon delivered a cross from the left that was met by Bissoli, who finished clinically to score his fifth goal of the Shopee Cup campaign.
The visitors doubled their advantage two minutes into first-half stoppage time when Čaušić headed home from Theerathon Bunmathan’s cross to give Buriram a commanding lead at the interval.
JDT responded after the restart and were relieved to see Suphachai Chaided’s effort ruled out for offside in the 55th minute.
The home side eventually found a breakthrough deep into stoppage time when Aketxe curled a superb effort beyond Neil Etheridge to reduce the deficit and spark hopes of a late comeback.
Those hopes were short-lived, however, as Bissoli struck again almost immediately, volleying home to restore Buriram’s two-goal advantage before the final whistle.
The Southern Tigers will face an uphill task in next week’s second leg after taking a two-goal deficit to Buriram.
