Buriram United and Johor Darul Ta’zim will head into the second leg of their 2024/25 AFC Champions League Elite round of 16 showdown next week on level terms after a hard-fought 0-0 stalemate at Chang Arena on Tuesday.
Despite both teams’ efforts, neither managed to break the deadlock over the 90 minutes. Suphanat Mueanta came closest to putting Osmar Loss’ side ahead, but his powerful header was superbly kept out by visiting goalkeeper Andoni Zubiaurre with 25 minutes left on the clock.
The outcome mirrored their earlier encounter in the league phase, setting up another decisive battle at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri, Johor next Tuesday, where a quarter-final berth in the AFC Champions League Elite will be up for grabs.
From the outset, both teams showed attacking intent, yet neither could carve out a clear opportunity in the opening 20 minutes. Arif Aiman’s charge towards goal was halted by Buriram United’s resolute defense, while at the other end, Neil Etheridge comfortably handled Jonathan Viera’s long-range free kick.
Guilherme Bissoli injected some urgency into the game as it neared the halfway mark of the first half, forcing Zubiaurre to react quickly and cut out his attempted cross. The Brazilian forward then came agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock, unleashing a thunderous first-time left-foot volley from 25 yards that narrowly cleared the crossbar in what proved to be the best chance of the half.
The cautious nature of the contest persisted after the break. Eight minutes into the second half, Suphanat reacted swiftly to Lucas Crispim’s corner at the near post but could only find the side-netting. Bissoli then threatened again with a driving run down the left, but his effort was deflected wide for a corner, from which Kim Min-hyeok’s header drifted harmlessly off target.
Zubiaurre once again showcased his sharp reflexes with 25 minutes to go, thwarting Suphanat’s redirected effort from a Crispim cross after Kenny Douggal had spread the ball wide. The Thai striker was left frustrated as the goalkeeper’s acrobatic save tipped the ball over the bar.
Buriram maintained their attacking pressure, and in the closing moments, Peter Zulj’s corner nearly crept past Zubiaurre, flashing dangerously across goal before rolling just wide.