Vietnam’s Công An Hà Nội FC and Buriram United of Thailand will battle each other for the ultimate prize in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ as the two sides meet in a thrilling two-legged final of the inaugural edition on 14 and 21 May.
The title clash will bring down the curtains on a memorable Shopee Cup™, which began with the Qualifying Round Play-offs in July 2024 and produced plenty of exhilarating moments as 12 of ASEAN’s top clubs battled each other for the prestigious silverware.
But with only two teams left standing in the competition now, join ASEAN United FC as we look at four players who could be the gamechangers for their sides in the much-anticipated final.
Hugo Gomes (Công An Hà Nội FC)
Hugo Gomes is playing a pivotal role in Công An Hà Nội FC’s pursuit to win the Shopee Cup™ in ways more than one. The Brazilian is not only Alexandre Polking’s defensive linchpin, but also a threat at the other end of the pitch, capable of chipping in with crucial goals. Gomes has been a consistent performer for Công An since arriving in Hanoi in 2024 after a short stint in Qatar and has also played for the likes of Estoril and Rio Ave in Portugal and Suwon FC in Korea Republic.
The 30-year-old center-back has scored four goals in V.League 1 this season but his most important contribution in attack came in the Shopee Cup™ semi-final second leg against Indonesia’s PSM Makassar. Gomes scored early in the second half to level the tie before the equally impressive Bui Hoang Viet Anh, the Brazilian’s defensive partner, netted the second to complete the comeback and book their place in the title clash.
Guilherme Bissoli (Buriram United)
Guilherme Bissoli has been on the scoresheet more often than not for Buriram United since joining from Brazilian club Ceara in 2024. The 27-year-old attacker scored 25 goals and bagged seven assists in 30 appearances for the Thunder Castle in Thai League 1 this season as they finished one point clear of Bangkok United to become champions of Thailand for a record 11th time.
He will also be important for Osmar Loss’ side as they look to secure the Shopee Cup™ title in the final against a formidable Công An Hà Nội FC side. Bissoli has scored twice in the competition already, including in the 3-1 semi-final first leg triumph against fellow Thai side BG Pathum United in Buriram. Up against one of the best defences in the competition in the title clash, Buriram will hope Bissoli’s sharp movements and composure in front of goal during high-pressure situations would make the difference in what promises to be a fiercely contested affair.
Phan Van Duc (Công An Hà Nội FC)
Phan Van Duc has already made an indelible mark on the Shopee Cup™ for Công An Hà Nội FC. The 29-year-old winger, who has been deployed in a variety of attacking roles in the tournament, bagged both the assists as Công An overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit and posted a famous win in the return leg in Hanoi against PSM Makassar as they booked their place in the final with a 2-1 aggregate victory.
The Vietnam international has also scored once in the tournament and in fact, it came against fellow finalists Buriram United when these two sides met in their Group B opener back in August. Van Do opened the scoring in that fixture with a left-foot strike from 25 yards out after just three minutes as the Vietnamese side secured a 3-1 victory. It remains Buriram’s only defeat in the tournament and Van Duc will hope to make a similar impact as the two meet again with the stakes much higher this time around.
Theerathon Bunmathan (Buriram United)
Theerathon Bunmathan has been a man for the big occasions for both club and country and the Buriram United fans will hope that proves to be true in the Shopee Cup™ final too. Theerathon, who has more than a century of international caps for Thailand, will hope to lift another trophy for Buriram come 21 May, having already secured the Thai League 1 title recently.
Having only returned from a knee injury recently, the 35-year-old defensive midfielder has slotted right back into business with the club, acting as a cover for their defence as well as creating opportunities for his teammates. Theerathon has registered four assists in the Shopee Cup™ from five appearances and his vast experience will be something that Buriram will count on as they look to become the champions of the inaugural tournament.
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