ACLE: JDT Falls Short as Buriram Claims Victory
- Bloomball Sports
- Mar 13
- 2 min read
Johor Darul Ta'zim’s (JDT) dream of making history in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) came to an abrupt end after a narrow 0-1 defeat to Buriram United in the second leg of the Round of 16 at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium tonight.
Following a goalless draw in the first leg at Chang Arena on March 4, the highly anticipated ASEAN derby saw Buriram United defy the odds, silencing the passionate home crowd to secure a dramatic victory.
The defeat marked JDT’s first home loss in this season’s ACLE under head coach Hector Bidoglio. Meanwhile, Buriram, led by Osmar Loss Vieira, replicated their 2013 feat by advancing to the quarter-finals, though they were eliminated that year after a 1-3 loss to Iran’s Esteghlal FC.
Backed by a roaring crowd of 35,000, JDT started with intent, immediately putting the visitors on the back foot. The hosts thought they had found an early breakthrough in the first minute when Bergson da Silva capitalized on a rebound from goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
JDT’s best opportunity came in the 27th minute when Afiq Fazail’s powerful strike rattled the right post, with Etheridge beaten but untested.
Buriram grew into the game in the second half, nearly taking the lead in the 53rd minute when Goran Causic unleashed a fierce shot that skimmed the crossbar, momentarily unsettling JDT’s defense.
The decisive moment arrived in the 58th minute when Suphanat Mueanta, left unmarked, curled a superb strike into the bottom right corner, leaving Andoni Zubiaurre helpless and sending Buriram into the lead.
Despite relentless pressure from JDT in search of an equalizer, Buriram’s disciplined defensive unit stood firm. The home side’s frustration peaked deep into stoppage time when Jorge Obregon thought he had salvaged a dramatic late goal in the 97th minute, only for it to be disallowed for offside, sealing JDT’s heartbreaking exit from the competition.
