Hanoi, 14 May, 2025 – Hanoi Police FC started energetically at Hang Day Stadium, buoyed by home advantage, and prevented Buriram from registering a single shot in the first half of the opening period. Coach Alexandre Polking’s side broke the deadlock in the 18th minute with a beautiful team move. Receiving the ball on the right, Quang Hai threaded a clever pass into the right channel for midfielder Vitao, who got behind the defense. Though the angle was tight, Vitao squared the ball across goal to the far post, where Leo Artur arrived to smash it into the roof of the net. Home fans erupted in celebration even before Artur struck the ball.
The stadium atmosphere cooled momentarily when Buriram equalized. In the 28th minute, from a left-side corner delivered by Theerathon, Australian center-back Curtis Good rose high to head the ball into the near corner. Goalkeeper Filip dove but couldn’t reach it in time. Good, who once played for Newcastle United in the English League Cup during the 2013–2014 season, was a persistent aerial threat with his 1.95m frame.
Hanoi Police FC regained the lead in the 35th minute. Once again, Artur was involved, delivering a cross from the left for striker Alan Grafite at the edge of the box. Wearing number 72, Grafite dribbled past Sasalak and Good before unleashing a low left-footed shot into the far corner, beating goalkeeper Chatchai Budprom. The goal reignited the atmosphere at Hang Day Stadium. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stood up, clapped, and smiled in admiration of Grafite’s sharp finish.
The goal gave Hanoi Police FC momentum, but Buriram responded with increased aggression. The match saw frequent fouls. In the 42nd minute, Buriram captain Theerathon Bunmathan was booked for a dangerous tackle from behind on Quang Hai. Minutes later, Hanoi Police’s captain committed a similar foul on a Buriram midfielder and was also cautioned by the referee.
The visitors continued to play with high aggression, particularly in the 50th minute when striker Guilherme Bissoli kicked Hanoi Police defender Bui Hoang Viet Anh in the chest. After medical staff entered the field, referee Kim Hee-gon showed Bissoli a yellow card.
As the match progressed, the home side began to tire. Coach Polking substituted both goal scorers, Artur and Vitao. Buriram capitalized and created several chances, with Filip making key saves. However, in the 79th minute, Bissoli’s long-range shot forced Filip to parry the ball straight into the path of Peter Zulj, who headed the rebound into the ground and over the line. Viet Anh tried to clear it off the line but was too late.
In the final minutes, Hanoi Police FC pushed hard for a winner. In the 81st minute, Quang Hai was denied a goal by Sasalak, who cleared off the line. Nine minutes later, 24-year-old midfielder Bui Xuan Thinh struck a powerful shot from distance that rattled the post.
Despite a dominant home performance, Polking’s team couldn’t secure a win. The second leg will be played a week later at the Chang Arena in Buriram. The away goals rule does not apply in this tournament.
The ASEAN Club Championship is being held for the first time this season, running from August 21, 2024, to May 21, 2025, featuring 12 clubs divided into two groups. Hanoi Police FC won all five matches in Group B, while Buriram finished second in the same group. In the semifinals, Hanoi Police FC defeated PSM Makassar (Indonesia) 2-1 over two legs, while Buriram overcame BG Pathum United 3-1 on aggregate.
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