Buriram: Buriram United goalkeeper Chatchai Bootprom has admitted that his ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ final penalty shootout heroics against Vietnam's Công An Hà Nội FC provided the most dramatic moment of his career.
The 38-year-old delivered one of his career-best displays in the title-deciding shootout, saving three penalties to deny Jason Pendant, Hugo Gomes and Bui Hoang Viet Anh as Buriram rejoiced in the rain following a thrilling 3-3 draw on the night that saw the tie end 5-5 on aggregate.
“The key to the win was experience as well as focus and concentration,” said Chatchai. “I have never had as dramatic an experience as this in all of my career. I want to thank all my teammates for winning this title.”
The former Thailand national team player only joined Buriram from domestic rivals BG Pathum United in December and has already added the Thai League 1 to the Shopee Cup medal in his trophy cabinet.
The Shopee Cup triumph, however, means the most to Chatchai having started in seven out of the team’s nine matches en route to the title.
Despite boasting other experienced keepers such as Neil Etheridge and Siwarak Tedsungnoen in the squad, Chatchai made the most when he got his chance as he went on to keep four clean sheets in his seven appearances being adjudged as the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
“I feel very good because we won this trophy. We won the Thai League but the Shopee Cup was the key for me because I played a lot in this tournament,” Chatchai shared.
“We wanted to win this trophy because we wanted to be the number one team in ASEAN.”
Guilherme Bissoli was amongst those on target for Buriram in a 3-3 thriller in regulation time, with the Brazilian keeping his cool from the penalty spot in the 105th minute.
The Sao Paulo native, who won the 2021 Copa Sudamericana — South America’s equivalent to AFC Champions League Two — was just as delighted to add another significant trophy to his collection in front of a jubilant Thunder Castle.
“The match was very difficult as it was a rollercoaster of emotions. I would like to thank all the fans for the great atmosphere,” said Bissoli.
“We need to enjoy this success but also look forward to our upcoming matches.”
Indeed, Bissoli — the Thai League’s top scorer — will have his sights set on winning a quadruple now with the Thai FA Cup Final this weekend against Muangthong United followed by the Thai League Cup Final against Lamphun Warriors on May 31.
The 2024/25 season could get even better for the Thunder Castle!
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