Hanoi: Vietnam’s Công An Hà Nôi FC edged Thailand’s Buriram United 2-1 in a Group B encounter to begin their ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ campaign with a victory on Thursday.
Phan Van Duc stunned the Thai champions by opening the scoring for Alexandre Polking’s side just three minutes after kick-off before Jefferson Tabinas drew level for the Thais early in the second period.
But Công An were back in front in the 66th minute when Alan Grafite headed in from a Vitao cross and the Vietnamese side held on to bag an important win against Buriram in their group stage opener.
The hosts began the game strong with Phan Van Duc’s header off target moments after kick-off and they were rewarded for their positivity when the Vietnam international’s strike from the edge of the box slipped through the gloves of Siwarak Tedsungnoen and opened Công An’s account in the third minute. 
Buriram searched for a way back, but the 2023 V.League 1 champions managed to keep the Thais at bay – Supachai Jaided’s shot from a tight angle that was denied by a strong fist from Filip Nguyen was the visitors’ only chance of note in the first half hour.
Chances were few and far between in a cagey first period with Grafite, who bagged the assist for Công An’s opener, hitting the side netting in the 29th minute and Guilherme Bissoli registering Buriram’s only other shot in the first 45 minutes.
Buriram head coach Osmar Loss brought on Brazilian forward Chrigor in place of Ratthanakorn Maikami to turn things around and the visitors were soon level as Philippines international Tabinas headed home a cross from Supachai four minutes into the second period. 
Buoyed by the equaliser, Buriram asserted control in the fixture and Bissoli almost gave the Thai League 1 champions the lead in the 54th minute after his shot from the edge of the box struck the woodwork.
At the opposite end, Vitao’s towering header from a Nguyen Quang Hai header was kept out by Siwarak in the 64th minute, but the Brazilian midfielder was instrumental in the Hanoi side going in front two minutes later as his cross was headed home by his compatriot Grafite to restore the home side’s advantage.
With the rain pouring in the Vietnamese capital, Buriram players were made to sweat in their bid to open up the Công An defence, and went closest in the second-half stoppage time when Vietnam shot-stopper Nguyen had to make a quick reflex save to deny Chrigor’s shot from close range and secure his side's three points.
Share now
