Ghanaian defender Kingsley Schindler delivered a crucial extra-time winner as Buriram United booked their place in the final of the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup after a dramatic clash against Johor Darul Ta’zim on Wednesday.
Despite losing 2-1 in the second leg, the Thai giants progressed 4-3 on aggregate in a tense encounter filled with late drama and red cards.
Buriram entered the match with a solid 3-1 advantage from the first leg, but the Malaysian side mounted a strong comeback at home. Johor Darul Ta’zim opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time when Bergson da Silva calmly converted from the penalty spot after Marcos Guilherme was brought down inside the box.
The hosts continued to dominate after the break and drew level on aggregate in the 62nd minute through Guilherme, who finished clinically to make it 3-3 overall and send the tie into extra time.
With pressure mounting and emotions running high, Schindler stepped up for Buriram in the 98th minute. The Ghana international unleashed a powerful strike beyond goalkeeper Syihan Hazmi to restore his side’s aggregate lead and ultimately prove decisive.
The closing stages were far from comfortable for Buriram, as Guilherme Bissoli and Goran Čaušić were both shown red cards, reducing the visitors to nine men. However, the Thai champions defended resolutely to hold off a late surge from JDT and secure their place in the final.
Buriram United will now take on Selangor FC in the championship showdown.
