Domestic Leagues
In Thailand, defending champions Buriram United edged Pattani 1-0 to stay top, while Auckland FC began their A-League campaign with a comeback 3-1 win over Melbourne City. Vietnam, meanwhile, saw a major upset as Hanoi FC defeated reigning champions Cong An Ha Noi FC 2-1.
There were also matches in Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, so join the-AFC.com in our weekly wrap of the domestic scene across ASEAN.
Australia: Auckland FC begin title defence with comeback win
Auckland FC opened their A-League campaign with a 3-1 victory over Melbourne City, coming from behind to claim all three points.
Lachlan Bayliss put Auckland ahead in the 35th minute, but Quinn MacNicol equalised for Melbourne City seven minutes later as the sides went into half time level at 1-1.
Bayliss restored Auckland’s lead in the 53rd minute before Lachlan Brook sealed the victory in the 85th minute.
Wellington Phoenix edged Melbourne Victory 2-1, while Macarthur FC defeated Perth Glory by the same scoreline. Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets played out a 2-2 draw, while Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers shared a goalless stalemate.
Thailand: Buriram hold off Pattani to remain top
Defending champions Buriram United maintained their place at the top of Thai League 1 with a narrow 1-0 victory away to Pattani in Round 5. Brazilian forward Bissoli broke the deadlock in the 38th minute.
Pattani pushed for an equaliser after the break, but Buriram held firm to claim their fourth win in five matches. The champions now have 13 points, keeping them one clear of Prachuap and Port MTI FC in the standings.
Ratchaburi FC defeated Chiangrai 2-1, while Port MTI FC beat Bangkok United 2-0. Prachuap edged Chonburi by the same scoreline, and Lamphun Warrior defeated Ayutthaya United 2-0. Sukhothai recorded a 5-1 victory over Rasisalai United, while Sisaket United drew 1-1 with BG Pathum United and Rayong FC shared the points with Uthai Thani in another 1-1 draw.
Vietnam: Hanoi FC stun champions Cong An Ha Noi
Hanoi FC claimed a major scalp in Round 4 of the V.League 1, defeating defending champions Cong An Ha Noi 2-1 away from home. The champions suffered an early setback as Hanoi FC took their chances to build a lead, leaving Cong An Ha Noi with work to do after the break.
Despite their efforts to recover, Cong An Ha Noi could not find a second equaliser as Hanoi FC held on for all three points. The defeat leaves the champions second on nine points, one behind leaders Phu Dong Ninh Binh, who edged Hoang Anh Gia Lai 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller.
Hai Phong thrashed Da Nang 5-1, while Nam Dinh defeated Thanh Hoa 2-0. Hong Linh Ha Tinh and Song Lam Nghe A shared the points in a 2-2 draw, and Bac Ninh played out a goalless stalemate with Truong Tuoi Dong Nai.
Indonesia: Persija lose top spot after Persita thriller
Persita produced a dramatic 3-2 victory over Persija Jakarta in Round 5 of the Indonesian Super League, handing the league leaders their first defeat of the campaign.
Luquinhas gave Persita the lead in the fifth minute, but Fabio Silva equalised for Persija in the 18th as the sides went into half time level.
Persita regained the advantage through Rayco Rodriguez Medina in the 61st minute, only for Alexander Jeremejeff to equalise from the penalty spot in the 74th minute.
With the match heading towards a draw, Aleksa Andrejic struck in the 90th minute to seal a memorable win for Persita, who moved to 11 points, one behind leaders Persija.
Persib Bandung defeated Persik Kediri 1-0, while Persebaya and PSS Sleman shared a 2-2 draw. Garudayaksa beat Arema 3-1, Java United edged Bali United 3-2 and Madura United drew 3-3 with FC Bhayangkara. Isenmulang Kalteng won 1-0 away to Persijap Jepara, while PSM Makassar defeated PSIM Yogyakarta 2-1.
Malaysia: JDT maintain perfect record with Terengganu victory
Defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim continued their flawless start to the Malaysia Super League season with a 3-0 win away to Terengganu in Round 5. Bergson opened the scoring in the 26th minute before Oscar Arribas doubled JDT’s advantage in the 42nd minute, sending the visitors into half time with a comfortable lead.
Terengganu had a chance to get back into the contest after the break, but Mateusinho missed a penalty in the 66th minute. Shahab Zahedi then came off the bench and sealed the victory with an 89th-minute goal, giving JDT six wins from six matches and extending their lead at the top to 18 points.
Selangor defeated Penang 3-1, while DPMM edged Kuching City 3-2 despite receiving a red card. Melaka FC beat Kuala Lumpur City 3-2, Negeri Sembilan drew 1-1 with Sabah and Star City claimed a 5-2 win over Kelantan Red Warrior.
Singapore: Geylang held as Tampines close in on leaders
Geylang were held to a goalless draw by Balestier Khalsa in Round 4 of the Singapore Premier League, dropping points for the first time this season. Both sides struggled to find a breakthrough, with neither able to convert their chances into a goal across 90 minutes.
The draw leaves Geylang top of the table with 10 points from four matches, while Tampines sit second with nine points, having played one match fewer. Defending champions Lion City Sailors are third on seven points after recording a 2-0 win away to FC Jurong.
Elsewhere, Tampines strengthened their title challenge with a 4-1 victory over Young Lions, while Tanjong Pagar edged Hougang 2-1.
Cambodia: Visakha maintain perfect record as Svay Rieng stay close
Visakha continued their perfect start to the Cambodian Premier League season with a 3-2 victory away to Kirivong Sok Sen Chey in Round 4.
Ulrich Donovan Ewolo opened the scoring in the 27th minute before Jaume Cuellar doubled the visitors’ advantage eight minutes later. Kakada Sin added a third shortly after half time, putting Visakha in a commanding position.
Kirivong fought back through two goals from Louis Hall in the 67th and 73rd minutes, but Visakha held on to claim their fourth consecutive victory.
The result keeps them top of the standings with 12 points, two ahead of defending champions Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC, who also won to remain firmly in the title race.
Svay Rieng defeated Boeung Ket 4-1, while Angkor Tiger thrashed Tiffy Army 6-0. NagaWorld edged Moi Kompong Dewa 1-0 to maintain their unbeaten record and remain level on 10 points with Svay Rieng.
Laos: Salavan United surge to the top with five-goal display
Salavan United produced an emphatic 5-1 victory away to Chanthabouly in Round 2 of the Lao League, extending their winning start to the new season.
Salavan struck four times in the first half, scoring in the ninth, 38th and 50th minutes before adding a fifth in the 70th minute. Anousone Xaypanya completed the scoring in the 90th minute, while Chanthabouly managed a consolation in the 75th minute.
The result keeps Salavan United top of the standings with six points from two matches, ahead of Ezra on goal difference. Ezra also maintained their perfect record with a 3-0 win over Lao Army FC, leaving the early title race finely poised.
Luang Prabang United thrashed Oudomxay Entremets 8-0, while Savannakhet edged Namtha United 4-3 in a seven-goal contest. GB FC defeated Champasak Avenir 2-0 to move into third place with four points.
Myanmar: Dagon extend unbeaten run to stay top
Dagon strengthened their position at the top of the Myanmar National League with a 4-2 victory away to Mahar United in Round 4.
Patrick Gilles gave Dagon the lead in the 10th minute, and the visitors carried their advantage into the second half before adding three more goals to secure their third win of the campaign.
Mahar United fought back with two goals, but Dagon proved too strong in the closing stages, scoring in the 88th minute and again in stoppage time to seal all three points.
Dagon now have 10 points from four matches, remaining unbeaten and holding a two-point lead over Yangon Royals.
Yangon Royals defeated Chinland 2-1, while Ispe FC edged Thitsar Arman 3-2. Hantharwady United beat Yadanarbon 1-0 to claim their first win in four matches.
Philippines: Davao Aguilas held as Cebu FC hit six
Maharlika and Davao Aguilas shared the points in an entertaining 2-2 draw in the Philippines Football League.
Davao Aguilas took the lead through Ryuta Iwai in the 18th minute and held their advantage at half time.
Maharlika turned the match around after the break, with Michael Menzi equalising in the 53rd minute before Park Eun-Soo put them ahead two minutes later.
However, Park Jun-Yeong restored parity for Davao Aguilas in the 58th minute, ensuring the sides settled for a point each. Maharlika remain top with 14 points from seven matches, while Davao Aguilas are fourth with seven points from three games.
Cebu FC thrashed Tuloy 6-0 to record their second win of the campaign, while Kaya FC_Iloilo and Stallion Laguna played out a 1-1 draw. Manila Digger remain second after winning all four of their matches so far.
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