Buriram's big victory, Xuân Son and teammates must pay special attention

Buriram United's commanding victory in Group A compels Nam Định to earn at least one point against JDT to prevent an early meeting with the reigning champions in the semifinals.

Buriram United’s overwhelming win in the final match of Group A at the ASEAN Shopee Cup not only finalized the group standings but also directly impacted Nam Định’s journey in Group B. With the Thai champions topping the group, all tactical plans and goals of the Vietnamese team instantly entered a critical phase ahead of their decisive match against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT).

In the last round of Group A, Buriram United displayed their superior strength by crushing Dynamic Herb Cebu FC 6-0. This emphatic victory not only secured them all 3 points but also propelled them to the top of the group thanks to a superior goal difference. With dominant form and impressive squad depth, Buriram continues to assert themselves as the top favorite to win this year’s tournament.

At the same time, the match between Selangor FC and BG Pathum United was full of drama. Despite playing with a man down from early on, Selangor resiliently held on for a valuable 1-1 draw thanks to a moment of brilliance from Faisal Halim. The draw was enough for the Malaysian side to finish second in Group A with 9 points, securing the remaining semifinal spot and officially ending BG Pathum United’s hopes of progressing.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese representative in Group A, Công An Hà Nội FC said farewell to the tournament with a resounding 6-1 victory over Tampines Rovers. Although they no longer had a chance to advance, the explosive performance featuring a brace from Alan Grafite and goals from Văn Đức, Văn Đô, Hugo Gomes, and Vitao helped CAHN conclude their campaign on a high note, finishing fourth overall.

The settled situation in Group A has had a direct effect on Nam Định, who currently hold control in Group B. Before the final round, Nam Định led the group with 12 points, two points ahead of JDT. However, the head-to-head match between these two teams tonight will determine the final standings. A loss would drop Nam Định to second place and force them to face Buriram United in the semifinals—a risky prospect given the Thai champions’ devastating form.

Conversely, a draw or a win against JDT would allow Nam Định to keep their top position in Group B and avoid the “mountain” that is Buriram in the semifinals. Their opponent would then be Selangor FC, a well-organized team but still considered less challenging than Buriram. Therefore, Buriram’s victory in Group A has inadvertently pushed Nam Định into a position where they must play more cautiously, confidently, and precisely than ever to pave a smoother path for their ambitions to advance deep into the ASEAN Shopee Cup.