Buriram: The stage is set for a blockbuster ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ semi-final first leg when Thai rivals Buriram United and BG Pathum United lock horns at Buriram City Stadium on Wednesday.
Buriram United finished as Group B runners-up and have been in unstoppable form recently, unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions in a period which has seen them eliminate BG Pathum in the Thai League Cup while also reaching the AFC Champions League Elite quarter-finals after defeating Johor Darul Ta’zim.
Suphanat Mueanta scored the winner away from home against JDT and is in line to make his Shopee Cup debut in this fixture with the 22-year-old accounting for nine goals and six assists in all competitions since his return from Belgium in November.
Thailand’s young sensation has also netted crucial goals in each of the club’s last two Thai League 1 matches including a late winner against Rayong FC on Saturday, which extended their lead in the domestic league to seven points with just four matches remaining.
Buriram’s potent attack also features Shopee Cup joint-top scorer Lucas Crispim, who scored a hat-trick against Kaya FC-Iloilo and the all-important winning goal versus Kuala Lumpur City FC on Matchday Five.
However, Osmar Loss’ side will have to make do without the services of superstar Theerathon Bunmathan as he is currently nursing a knee injury.
BG Pathum, meanwhile, will look for some inspiration from their own Thai superstar Chanathip Songkrasin with the captain leading his side to emerge as Group A winners.
The Rabbits sit in third place in Thai League 1 with their most recent league fixture ending in a 1-1 draw against Uthai Thani, where Raniel Santana was on target in the first half.
The Brazilian forward, who already has four goals to his name in the Shopee Cup will be the key driving force in attack alongside Ilhan Fandi, especially since the duo of Teerasil Dangda and Patrik Gustavsson is out through injury.
This will be the third meeting between both sides this season, with Buriram victorious on the two previous occasions while BG Pathum will hope that a new competition will bring in a change of fortunes on Wednesday.
Buriram United vs BG Pathum United
Venue: Buriram City Stadium, Thailand
Kick-off: 2 April, 7:30 PM (Local Time)
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