Quick Read
- Buriram United salvaged a 1-1 draw against Công An Hà Nội in the Shopee Cup with a 91st-minute penalty.
- Buriram are second-from-bottom in Group A but only three points off the top.
- DH Cebu FC earned their first point with a 1-1 draw against Selangor FC.
- Selangor leads Group A with five points from three matches.
- Group A remains wide open as teams vie for semifinal spots in the single round-robin format.
If there’s one thing the 2025/26 Shopee Cup—officially the ASEAN Club Championship—has made clear, it’s that Southeast Asian football is anything but predictable. Group A, often considered the tournament’s ‘group of intrigue,’ is living up to its reputation, with every fixture tightening the race for semifinal qualification.
Last season, Buriram United stamped their authority by lifting the title in the competition’s return after a two-decade absence. Their reputation as Thailand’s powerhouse, boasting four straight domestic titles, made them early favorites to retain the crown. Yet, the current campaign has thrown up unexpected obstacles and dramatic twists. After two draws in their opening games against Selangor and BG Pathum United, Buriram faced a perilous situation at home against Công An Hà Nội (CAHN)—the very side they edged on penalties in last year’s thrilling final.
Wednesday night’s clash at Buriram’s fortress saw the visitors seize the initiative just ten minutes in. Léo Artur’s clever link-up with Stefan Mauk unlocked the defense, and the Brazilian’s finish, squeezed between goalkeeper Chatchai Budprom and defender Kenny Dougall, silenced the home crowd. The early goal injected tension into a contest already charged by the historic Thailand-Vietnam rivalry and the lingering bitterness from last year’s decider.
The intensity only escalated. Moments into the second half, Buriram’s influential forward Robert Žulj received a straight red card for a stamp—an incident that escaped initial punishment but was upgraded after a VAR review. Down to ten men, and with their attacking linchpin gone, Buriram were staring at defeat and potential elimination from the knockout chase.
But adversity often brings out character. Buriram’s resilience, bolstered by talents like Guilherme Bissoli, Suphanat Mueanta, and Theerathon Bunmathan, kept them in the hunt. The Thai champions pressed forward, risking gaps at the back, and survived some nervy moments before controversy erupted in the dying minutes. In the 82nd, a cross from Narubadin Weerawatnodom struck Stefan Mauk’s extended elbow—a detail only picked up after VAR intervention, which took several minutes due to ongoing play and substitutions. Finally, in the 91st minute, Bissoli kept his cool from the spot, converting to secure a 1-1 draw. Coach Alexandré Pölking’s frustration on the sideline spoke volumes, but the result left both sides with work to do. Buriram, now second-from-bottom in Group A, are just three points off the top and two away from the second semifinal spot, but they’re chasing teams with points already secured. Their upcoming fixtures—against surprise leaders BG Tampines Rovers and bottom-dwelling DH Cebu—will be crucial, with the latter likely offering a must-win opportunity.
Elsewhere in Group A, DH Cebu FC and Selangor FC fought out another dramatic 1-1 draw at Manila’s Rizal Memorial Stadium. Cebu, representing the Philippines Football League, claimed their first point of the campaign, while Selangor, who entered the match atop the group, moved to five points from three games. The game itself was a showcase of attacking intent and defensive grit. Selangor’s early pressure saw Willian Lira and Izwan Yuslan test Cebu’s goalkeeper Rami Jeridi, but Cebu responded with rapid counter-attacks, notably Abdulfatohi Khudoidodzoda’s close effort. After a flurry of chances, it was Rico Andes who broke the deadlock for Cebu moments after halftime, heading in Esrom Paulos’ corner. The lead was short-lived, though, as Lira equalized for Selangor just seven minutes later, firing through a crowded box to finally beat Jeridi.
The closing stages saw both sides search for a winner. Substitute Chrigor Moraes sent a long-range effort wide, and Picha Autra’s acrobatic scissor kick rattled the post, but neither team could find the breakthrough. The result left Cebu at the bottom, but with a point that could prove vital in a tightly contested group. For Selangor, the draw maintained their challenge, keeping them in the hunt for a semifinal berth. Omid Musawi, Selangor’s energetic forward, was named Shopee Star of the Match, reflecting his influence and creativity throughout the game.
As Group A heads towards its decisive phase, the single round-robin format means every fixture carries heightened significance. Buriram United, with their pedigree and experience, remain favorites for their final two games, but the margin for error is vanishingly thin. Selangor, BG Tampines Rovers, and even Cebu are all jostling for position, knowing that a single slip could spell the end of their continental ambitions.
The Shopee Cup’s return has reinvigorated ASEAN club football, offering fans and players alike a stage for high drama and redemption. With rivalries reignited and stakes at their peak, Group A is set for a blockbuster finish—one where every goal, every save, and every VAR call could tip the balance.
The facts show that the Shopee Cup’s Group A is a microcosm of Southeast Asian football’s unpredictability—where reputations offer no guarantees and resilience, strategy, and a touch of fortune will determine who advances. As the pressure mounts, the coming matches will reveal which teams can turn late drama into lasting success.