The title clash of the inaugural ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ did not disappoint as Thailand’s Buriram United were crowned the champions after a 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Vietnam’s Công An Hà Nội FC which followed a thrilling 3-3 draw in the second leg.
After a 2-2 draw in the first leg of the final in Hanoi, the return leg in Buriram was even more dramatic as momentum swung one way and the other but it was Osmar Loss’ side who prevailed in a battle between two sides who were not willing to give up until the final whistle.
With the curtains coming down on a fascinating first edition of the Shopee Cup™, ASEAN United FC takes a look at the two players who were named the Shopee Star of the Match in either legs of the final and asks you to pick your favourite by voting in the poll at the bottom of the article.
Nguyen Quang Hai (Công An Hà Nội FC)
Nguyen Quang Hai was the star of the first leg in Hanoi for Công An Hà Nội FC. As he has done on many occasions previously, the Vietnam international once again stood out when it mattered the most. He helped Alexandre Polking’s side make a brilliant start to the final as he slipped through Vitao after racing with the ball and the Brazilian midfielder set up his compatriot Leo Artur for the opening goal after only 18 minutes.
Despite them falling short by the narrowest of margins in the second leg, Quang Hai continued to be influential for the V.League 1 side, as the Công An captain gave the visiting side another great start in Buriram when his exchange of passes with Jason Pendant sent the full-back through to open the scoring on Wednesday. Quang Hai continued to be lively in the return leg and finished the Shopee Cup™ campaign with one goal and three assists from nine appearances.
Chatchai Bootprom (Buriram United)
At 38 years of age, Chatchai Bootprom has seen his fair share of highs and lows during a long career for both club and country. But his performance in Wednesday’s return leg for Buriram United will undoubtedly rank among his best. The former Thailand international had seen three goals scored past him in 120 minutes of action in the second leg, including a Leo Artur penalty in the first half.
But the shot-stopper stepped up in the penalty shootout and made the first breakthrough in the tie-breaker by denying Jason Pendant from the spot, although Martin Boakye’s miss soon after levelled the score again. But he went on to make two more stops in the shootout, first denying Hugo Gomes before saving from Bui Hoang Viet Anh, when the Công An Hà Nội man had to score to keep his side’s title hopes alive. Buriram had Chatchai to thank as they lifted the silverware in front of their fans.
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