Buriram: It’s advantage Buriram United in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ semi-final after the Thunder Castle posted a 3-1 victory over Thai rivals BG Pathum United in the first leg of the semi-final on Wednesday.
Supachai Chaided’s deflected effort midway through the first half put the hosts in front at Buriram City Stadium but Ilhan Fandi levelled proceedings eight minutes after the restart.
Pansa Hemviboon restored the home side’s lead just moments later before a screamer from Guilherme Bissoli with a little over 15 minutes to play ensured Buriram will take a two-goal lead into the return meeting on May 7.
The battle between Thailand’s two most star-studded sides pitted the nation’s biggest hope Suphanat Muaenta against the iconic Chanathip Songkrasin as two of Southeast Asia’s most talented players headlined the semi-final.
BG Pathum enjoyed the majority of the early possession but it was Buriram who had the first attempt on goal, captain Supachai fizzing an effort well wide from a narrow angle on 10 minutes.
And it was Osmar Loss's team who took the lead against the run of play in the 24th minute when Waris Choolthong’s headed clearance from a cross fell to Supachai on the edge of the area. The skipper took one touch before his low strike deflected off the unfortunate centre-back Nika Sandokhadze and looped over goalkeeper Saranon Anuin.
The big defender almost made amends just minutes later when he got on the end of Sarach Yooyen’s floated free-kick from deep only to see his brilliant cross-goal header beat goalkeeper Chatchai Bootprom but rebound back off the post into the arms of the Buriram custodian.
Suphanat had been quiet in the first half but he offered a reminder of his threat seven minutes before the interval when he received the ball 25 yards from goal and fired a powerful drive narrowly wide of the left post.
The home side were now in full control with a Bissoli header and Dion Cools’ curling effort from distance that went over the bar a sign of their dominance before Supachai was just inches away from adding a second deep into first-half stoppage time.
Excellent build-up play from Bissoli and Suphanat worked the ball to Supachai just inside the area and the forward took one shot before striking goalwards from a central position with an effort that flew just wide of the top left corner.
Buriram were made to pay for those missed chances in the 54th minute when Gakuto Notsuda’s inswinging corner from the left was spilled by Chatchai and Ilhan was on hand at the back post to send an easy header into the back of the net.
But the parity did not last long and, after Bissoli saw his effort well tipped wide by Saranon in the 57th minute, Buriram retook the lead from the ensuing corner as Pansa volleyed home Peter Zulj’s delivery from the right from six yards out.
Then in the 74th minute Buriram opened up a two-goal advantage with a goal of the tournament contender from Bissoli.
Supachai picked up a loose ball deep in the Buriram half and burst forward with purpose before passing to Bissoli on the left. The Brazilian then cut inside before unleashing a thunderbolt from 25 yards out that flew into the BG Pathum net, giving the helpless Saranon no chance.
Loss’ side almost added a fourth soon after when Cools controlled a long ball over the top and broke into the right side of the area before side-footing against the inside of the post as BG Pathum breathed a sigh of relief.
In the end, the visitors may well have been relieved to keep the score at three as the two-goal deficit will mean they at least have a glimmer of hope when the sides meet again in the return meeting on May 7.
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