ASEAN Club Championship Final: Late Zulj Header Rescues Draw for Buriram United
HANOI, Vietnam – May 2025 — In a clash that lived up to the hype, Buriram United secured a dramatic 2-2 draw against Công An Hà Nội (CAHN) in the first leg of the ASEAN Club Championship Final, thanks to a late header from Austrian midfielder Peter Žulj.
🏆 ASEAN Giants Go Head-to-Head in First-Leg Thriller
In what has been a showcase of Southeast Asia’s football elite, Thailand’s Buriram United and Vietnam’s CAHN proved why they were considered the top contenders coming into the tournament. The electric atmosphere at Hàng Đẫy Stadium, witnessed by nearly 14,000 fans, added fuel to the long-standing Thailand vs Vietnam football rivalry.
From the outset, CAHN looked the sharper of the two sides. Their early dominance paid off in the 18th minute, when Brazilian playmaker Alan Grafite executed a clever no-look pass that found Nguyễn Quang Hải, who threaded the ball through to Vitão. The winger’s pinpoint pass across goal left Léo Artur with a simple tap-in at the far post to give the hosts a deserved 1-0 lead.
⚽ Buriram Strike Back Through Curtis Good
Despite CAHN’s control, the lead sparked life into Buriram. Ten minutes after conceding, they pulled level from a set piece. Towering Australian defender Curtis Good, standing at 1.95m, found himself unmarked at a corner and guided a glancing header into the net from Žulj’s delivery.
But parity didn’t last long.
🔁 Grafite Reignites Home Crowd with Second Goal
CAHN regained the advantage in the 35th minute. A seemingly innocuous cross from the left caused confusion in the Buriram backline. A defensive miscue from Sasalak Haiprakhon and hesitation from Good allowed Grafite to seize the loose ball, dance past defenders, and bury a low shot past goalkeeper Chatchai Budprom.
⚔️ Second Half: Missed Chances and Late Drama
While the tempo dipped slightly after halftime, chances remained plentiful. In the 58th minute, Lê Văn Đô squandered a golden opportunity to put CAHN firmly in control, blasting over from close range.
Moments later, Buriram nearly equalized through Dion Cools, whose driven cross created chaos in the six-yard box, only for CAHN’s keeper Filip Nguyen to produce a crucial block with his outstretched leg.
Then came the decisive moment.
With just over ten minutes left, Guilherme Bissoli fired a long-range shot that forced Filip into a save. Unfortunately for CAHN, the rebound fell perfectly for Žulj, who nodded the ball into the turf and across the line, silencing the home crowd and securing a precious away result.
🔮 Second Leg Showdown Awaits in Thailand
The 2-2 draw sets the stage perfectly for a fiery second leg in Buriram next week. Both teams displayed attacking flair and defensive vulnerability, suggesting another high-scoring contest could be on the cards.
The ASEAN Club Championship 2025 has already delivered unforgettable moments – and with 90 minutes left to decide the winner, fans across Southeast Asia are in for a grandstand finish.
📌 Key Takeaways
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Result: Công An Hà Nội 2 – 2 Buriram United
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Venue: Hàng Đẫy Stadium, Hanoi
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Attendance: 13,897
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Man of the Match: Peter Žulj (Buriram United)
📣 Next Match:
Buriram United vs Công An Hà Nội – Second Leg
📍 Chang Arena, Thailand
📅 May 21, 2025 | 🕖 7:30 PM ICT
📺 Live on regional broadcasters & streaming platforms
