Johor Darul Ta’zim’s dream of reaching the 2025/26 Shopee Cup Final came to a heartbreaking end after suffering an aggregate defeat to Thailand giants Buriram United in a dramatic second-leg semi-final clash at Buriram Stadium, Buriram.
Despite producing one of their most spirited performances of the season, the Southern Tigers were ultimately edged out after extra time in a pulsating encounter filled with intensity, controversy and late drama.
Buriram United head coach Mark Jackson fielded a strong starting lineup led by Brazilian striker Guilherme Bissoli, while experienced goalkeeper Neil Etheridge guarded the home side’s net. JDT boss Xisco Munoz meanwhile placed his faith in the attacking partnership of Jairo da Silva and Bergson da Silva as the Malaysian champions chased an unlikely comeback.
Trailing 1-3 on aggregate coming into the match, JDT wasted no time asserting themselves after kickoff. The visitors played with urgency and aggression, piling relentless pressure on Buriram’s defence and forcing the Thai side deep into their own half for long stretches of the opening period.
JDT nearly found the breakthrough in the 28th minute when Bergson unleashed a powerful long-range effort from outside the penalty area, only for Etheridge to deny the Brazilian with a sharp save.
Tensions rose midway through the first half when both coaches were involved in a heated exchange on the touchline following a rough challenge on Bergson, adding further fire to an already emotionally charged contest.
Just before halftime, JDT were handed a lifeline after Marcos Guilherme was brought down inside the box by Etheridge. Bergson calmly converted the resulting penalty to give the Southern Tigers a deserved 1-0 lead and reduce the aggregate deficit heading into the break.
The momentum remained with JDT after halftime as Munoz’s men continued to attack relentlessly in search of another goal to level the aggregate score.
Their persistence finally paid off in the 61st minute when Marcos Guilherme finished clinically past Etheridge after capitalising on a dangerous attacking move, sending the travelling supporters into celebration as the aggregate score became 3-3.
With the tie suddenly level, Buriram United shifted gears and began attacking with greater urgency. Mark Jackson introduced dangerous forward Suphanat Mueanta in an attempt to regain control of the match.
Suphanat almost delivered an immediate impact in the 73rd minute, but JDT goalkeeper Syihan Hazmi produced a superb save to keep the scores level.
The Malaysian international continued his heroic display minutes later, pulling off a series of remarkable saves during a frantic goalmouth scramble in the 80th minute, with the crossbar also coming to JDT’s rescue.
After 90 minutes, JDT secured a 2-0 victory on the night, but the aggregate score remained tied at 3-3, forcing the semi-final into an additional 30 minutes of extra time.
Buriram came out stronger in extra time and eventually broke JDT hearts in the 98th minute when Kingsley Schindler fired home a powerful strike that beat Syihan Hazmi, restoring the Thai side’s aggregate advantage at 4-3.
JDT responded by introducing experienced names such as Mohamadou Sumareh and Nazmi Faiz as they desperately searched for another equaliser.
Drama intensified near the end of the first half of extra time when Buriram United were reduced to 10 men after Guilherme Bissoli received a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Eddy Israfilov.
The hosts’ situation worsened further in the second half of extra time when Goran Causic was also shown a red card following an off-the-ball incident involving Nazmi Faiz, leaving Buriram with only nine players on the pitch.
Despite enjoying a numerical advantage and throwing everything forward in the closing moments, JDT were unable to find the crucial goal that would have forced penalties.
Syihan Hazmi once again kept JDT alive in the 108th minute with another outstanding save to deny Suphanat during a dangerous counterattack, but it ultimately proved insufficient as Buriram held firm until the final whistle.
The dramatic victory sends Buriram United into the ACC Shopee Cup Final, where they will face fellow Malaysian side Selangor FC after the Red Giants eliminated Nam Dinh FC in the other semi-final.
Credit Photo : JST
