Cong An Hanoi, a club from Vietnam tied with Buriram United, a club from Thailand scoring 2-2 in the Shopee Cup 2024/25 Final 1st Leg at Hang Day Stadium, Hanoi.
In a match brimming with intensity and quality, Leo Artur opened the scoring for the hosts in the 18th minute, registering his fifth goal of the tournament to become joint-top scorer. However, Buriram responded with a towering header from Curtis Good before Công An’s Alan Grafite restored the lead before half-time. The visitors, though, had the final say as Peter Zulj struck late in the second half to ensure the tie hangs delicately in the balance ahead of the decisive return leg in Thailand on 21 May.
Backed by a passionate home crowd, Công An started brightly. Buriram’s goalkeeper Chatchai Bootprom was called into early action, rushing off his line to deny Grafite just seven minutes in. The breakthrough came soon after as Grafite orchestrated a slick attacking move. His precise pass found Nguyen Quang Hai on the right, whose intelligent ball to Vitao set up Artur for a simple finish to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Buriram struggled to impose themselves initially, but carved out their first meaningful chance in the 25th minute, with Supachai Chaided forcing a sharp save from Filip Nguyen. The Thai League 1 champions restored parity moments later as Zulj’s corner was met by a bullet header from Curtis Good, leaving Nguyen rooted to the spot.
Unfazed, Công An continued to press and were rewarded when Grafite capitalized on a defensive lapse. A floated cross from Artur caused confusion in the Buriram defence, allowing Grafite to drill home a low left-footed effort in the 35th minute, sending the home crowd into raptures.
The second half saw Buriram regroup, dominating possession and creating more clear-cut chances. Nguyen was once again the saviour for Công An, producing crucial stops to deny efforts from Lucas Crispim, Good, and Supachai.
However, relentless Buriram pressure finally paid off in the 79th minute. Guilherme Bissoli’s long-range shot was parried by Nguyen, but Zulj pounced on the rebound to level the score at 2-2, silencing the home fans.
Công An nearly reclaimed the lead in dramatic fashion. Nguyen Quang Hai saw his effort cleared off the line in the 81st minute, before Bui Xuan Thinh’s thunderous strike cannoned off the woodwork, leaving Buriram breathing a sigh of relief.
In the end, both sides had to settle for a draw after a pulsating first leg, setting up a mouth-watering decider at Buriram’s home ground.
The stage is now set for a blockbuster second leg at Chang Arena, Buriram on 21 May 2025, where regional glory and the coveted Shopee Cup crown will be on the line.
Credit Photo : BRUTD
