The knockout stages of the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ got off to a thrilling start on Wednesday as four clubs that are still alive in the competition battled each other for a place in the final of its inaugural edition.
It was time for some of the best players in Southeast Asia to step up and push their clubs closer to the coveted title in the semi-finals where Buriram United overcame BG Pathum United 3-1 in their first-leg tie while PSM Makassar edged Công An Hà Nội FC 1-0.
ASEAN United FC takes a look at the two players who were named the Shopee Star of the Match in the two semi-final first-leg ties and asks you, the fans of the beautiful game, to pick your favourite among the two by voting at the bottom of the article.
Yuran Fernandes (PSM Makassar)
Yuran Fernandes led from the front as Indonesia’s PSM Makassar took a big step towards the Shopee Cup™ title with a 1-0 victory against Vietnam’s Công An Hà Nội FC in the semi-final first leg at Gelora B.J. Habibie Stadium in Parepare. With the game heading for a stalemate, the centre-back, wearing the captain’s armband, made the difference as he headed home a corner kick from Victor Luiz for the game’s only goal in the 80th minute.
Fernandes, 30, was instrumental in helping PSM win the Indonesia Liga 1 title during the 2022-23 season and is also playing a pivotal role in their hunt for the regional title. The Cape Verdean defender featured in three group stage fixtures of the Shopee Cup and registered two assists and was once again solid in the PSM backline as they inflicted a defeat on Công An, who had progressed to the final four, with five wins from as many matches.
Guilherme Bissoli (Buriram United)
Guilherme Bissoli has been one of Buriram United’s best players in the Shopee Cup™ despite the striker only scoring once in the group stage - against Borneo FC Samarinda. However, the Brazilian attacker was the standout star for Osmar Loss’ side as they defeated fellow Thai League 1 side BG Pathum United 3-1 at Buriram City Stadium to have one foot in the title clash of the tournament.
The Buriram attacker was in the midst of action all evening and came close to scoring on multiple occasions before finally making a mark, with a little over a quarter of an hour remaining in the tie and the Thunder Castle leading 2-1. Bissoli received the ball from captain Supachai Jaided on the left-hand side before cutting in towards the centre and firing a shot from 30 yards out that beat goalkeeper Saranon Anuin for a goal that would definitely be in the conversation for one of the goals of the tournament.
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