Johor Darul Ta’Zim earned 1 point in the home match after tied Buriram United scoring 0-0 in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 League Stage(East Zone) at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri.
The Southern Tigers started brightly, with Bergson creating an early opportunity for Juan Muniz, but the Spanish midfielder’s effort from the top of the area was scuffed wide.
Buriram came close to breaking the deadlock in the 10th minute when Lucas Crispim threaded a superb pass to Dion Cools inside the box, but Murilo’s defensive challenge resulted in a straight red card for the JDT midfielder, leaving the hosts with ten men.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, JDT remained aggressive. Bergson nearly put the home side ahead in the 29th minute, but his volley was comfortably saved by Buriram goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.
Buriram’s attempts to capitalize on their advantage were stymied by poor finishing, with Curtis Good, Kenneth Dougall, and Dion Cools all missing the mark from a set-piece opportunity in the 38th minute.
The Thai side’s momentum was halted just before halftime when captain Theerathon Bunmathan received a second yellow card for a foul on Arif Aiman, reducing Buriram to 10 men and leveling the playing field.
Both sides pushed for a breakthrough in the second half. Buriram’s Guilherme Bissoli forced a fine save from Andoni Zubiaurre with a curling shot in the 63rd minute. Moments later, JDT’s Bergson unleashed a powerful strike targeting the bottom corner, only for Etheridge to produce an equally impressive save.
In a bid to secure all three points, JDT brought on Jorge Obregon and Heberty in the 75th minute. Heberty nearly made an immediate impact, with his long-range effort in the 85th minute tipped away by the inspired Etheridge.
As the clock wound down, tempers flared. In stoppage time, JDT was reduced to nine men after Park Jun-heong received a straight red for a tackle on Bissoli, adding to the game’s intensity.
The match ended with JDT down to nine players and Buriram with ten, leaving both sides level on eight points. The result keeps their hopes alive for a place in the next round, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the group stage.
Credit Photo : AFC
