ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ champions Buriram United FC put their challenge for the 2025/26 title back on track on Wednesday as Mark Jackson’s side handed Group A rivals Tampines Rovers FC a 4-1 defeat in Singapore to reignite their quest for a semi-final berth.
Suphanat Mueanta struck in the 32nd minute to send the Thai League 1 champions on their way to their first win of the current campaign before Guilherme Bissoli’s second-half brace sealed the points and Goran Čaušić headed in a late fourth.
The result takes Buriram United onto six points with one Group A match remaining and level with Singapore Premier League outfit Tampines Rovers, who led the standings going into the clash at Jalan Besar Stadium. Selangor FC now head Group A with eight points following a 2-0 win over Công An Hà Nội FC while BG Pathum United FC moved to second after a similar 2-0 victory of DH Cebu FC.
“Today was very good because with these three points we can go up the table,” said Suphanat. “Of course we want to win the next game and advance to the next round. We want to score as many goals as we can to improve our goal difference.”
The Singapore side had dominated possession throughout the opening half hour but were unable to breach the Buriram defence, Kohya Kazama going closest when he sent Neil Etheridge’s miss-hit clearance back into the hands of the visiting goalkeeper from distance.
By the 32nd minute the champions had gone ahead. Kenny Dougall’s pass from out of defence found Suphanat with space to turn and the Thailand international ran at the hosts, unleashing a shot that took a looping deflection on its way past Syazwan Buhari.
Suphanat’s quick turn in the penalty area left the Tampines Rovers defence in his wake in the 44th minute only to see his low shot deflected into the side-netting while Tampines Rovers’ Kazama bent a free kick narrowly wide in first half stoppage time.
Seven minutes into the second half, Buriram United doubled their lead after Theerathon Bunmathan made a driving run down the left to deliver a perfect low cross into the six yard box and an unmarked Bissoli slotted in with a first-time finish.
Trent Buhagiar headed against the post from close range in the 57th minute as Tampines sought a way back into the game but their hopes were scuppered when Shuya Yamashita brought down Dougall in the box and Bissoli converted the spot-kick in the 70th minute.
Čaušić put the seal on the win with two minutes remaining when he headed in Peter Žulj’s cross from the right to underline Buriram United’s superiority with Taufik Suparno nodding in a stoppage time consolation for the hosts.
Buriram United will host DH Cebu in their last group match next Wednesday.
Shopee Star of the Match - Guilherme Bissoli (#7), Buriram United
Share now
