Buriram United secured their place in the semifinal of the 2024/25 ASEAN Club Championship with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur City at the Chang Arena on Thursday. The win ensured Buriram claimed the runners-up spot in Group B, setting up a domestic showdown against BG Pathum United in the semi-finals this April. Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur’s tournament journey ended as they finished third in the group standings.
The decisive moment came in the 37th minute when Buriram danger man Lucas Crispim netted his fifth goal of the competition. The hosts could have added more to their tally in the second half but were unable to convert their chances. Despite this, Buriram maintained control and held on for a deserved victory.
Kuala Lumpur, playing without their suspended captain Paulo Josue, started brightly and almost grabbed an early lead in the fifth minute. Giancarlo Gallifuoco pounced on a loose ball inside the box and directed it goalwards, but Buriram’s veteran goalkeeper Chatchai Bootprom reacted quickly to make a sharp low save.
Buriram had their first big chance in the 27th minute, albeit unintentionally, when Theerathon Bunmathan’s perfectly weighted pass released Sasalak Haiprakhan down the left. Sasalak’s low cross into the penalty area was nearly turned into the net by Kuala Lumpur’s Kenny Pallraj, whose attempted clearance narrowly missed the right post.
The home side began to assert dominance as the first half progressed. Guilherme Bissoli had an opportunity to open the scoring just after the half-hour mark, but his header from Crispim’s corner sailed over the bar when he might have done better.
The breakthrough finally came in the 37th minute. A neat combination between Supachai Chaided and Theerathon on the left flank resulted in a low cross from Theerathon that deflected into Crispim’s path. The forward calmly side-footed the ball past Kuala Lumpur goalkeeper Hafizul Hakim from 12 yards, giving Buriram the lead.
There was a setback for Buriram on the stroke of halftime as Theerathon had to be stretchered off following a collision with Gallifuoco. Kuala Lumpur nearly capitalized on the disruption early in the second half when Ryan Lambert’s pinpoint pass found his brother Declan Lambert on the left wing. Declan delivered a first-time cross into the box, but it was just out of reach for the unmarked Patrick Reichelt, who managed a slight touch but couldn’t direct it on target.
Buriram pushed for a second goal after the hour mark, with Bissoli coming close. Supachai’s clever flick set up the Brazilian striker, but his powerful left-footed effort from a tight angle flew wide of the far post.
The hosts continued to pile on the pressure and came close again with 20 minutes remaining. Hafizul produced a pair of sensational saves in quick succession, first denying Narubadin Weerawatnodom from close range and then stopping substitute Ratthanakorn Maikami’s follow-up effort to keep Kuala Lumpur in the game.
Despite Kuala Lumpur’s late attempts to find an equalizer, Buriram remained composed and managed the closing stages effectively. The visitors’ final chance came in stoppage time with a speculative 35-yard free-kick from Jovan Motika that flew well over the crossbar. Buriram’s solid defensive display ensured their progression to the semi-finals, while Kuala Lumpur bowed out of the competition after a valiant effort.