Buriram United’s hopes of climbing up the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 League Stage (East Zone) standings suffered a setback after a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Melbourne City at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne.
Melbourne City, winless from their opening two matches, came out aggressively. Just four minutes in, Max Caputo broke through Buriram’s defense but saw his effort brilliantly denied by Neil Etheridge, the Filipino international goalkeeper who read the play perfectly and blocked the shot to keep the game level.
In the 11th minute, Buriram’s defense was again called into action when Curtis Good’s pass deflected into a dangerous area, forcing Etheridge to rush off his line and clear before Caputo could pounce.
Buriram’s first real chance came in the 29th minute as Goran Kausic combined with Peter Zulj on the left side, but Zulj’s low strike rolled just wide of the far post. The Thai side continued to settle into the game, showing composure against City’s high press.
Right before halftime, Zulj delivered a teasing free kick into the six-yard box that found Kausic, who headed into the net. However, after a VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside, leaving the score at 0-0 at the break.
Buriram began the second half brightly. In the 47th minute, Guilherme Bissoli unleashed a fierce shot from the edge of the box, but Melbourne keeper Patrick Beach parried it safely.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 72nd minute. A well-delivered corner from Robert Zulj caused chaos in the area, with the ball eventually finding Goran Kausic, who controlled it with his chest before smashing a volley off the crossbar and into the net — a stunning strike that gave Buriram a 1-0 lead.
However, the hosts refused to back down. In the 84th minute, Aziz Behich surged down the left flank and whipped in a low cross that found Elbasan Rashani, who fired home first-time from close range to equalize for 1-1.
Deep into stoppage time, heartbreak struck for Buriram. Substitute Nathaniel Atkinson split the defense with a precise through ball for Caputo, who slid in to poke it past Etheridge at the near post in the 90+7th minute, sealing a 2-1 comeback win for Melbourne City.
Credit Photo : AFC
