The stage is set for the A-League semi-finals after Western United and Melbourne Victory progressed to the last four stage after two battling Elimination Final showdowns.

 

Melbourne Victory will now take on Auckland FC after downing Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1, thanks to a star performance from winger, Daniel Arzani.

As the lowest placed Elimination Final Winners, Victory will host Premiers Auckland FC at home in the first leg of their semi-final showdown on May 17, with the return leg on May 24.

 

Western United booked their place in the semi-finals, after defeating Adelaide United 3-2 in a thrilling contest on Friday.

 

Western United, as the highest placed Elimination Final winners, will host Melbourne City on May 16, with the second leg to be played eight days later. 

Phnom Penh Crown earned a dominant 5-2 win over Angkor Tiger to consolidate their position in second place, with Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC having already confirmed the title.

The scoring began early, with Devit Yem putting Phnom Penh ahead in the seventh minute. An own goal from Ben Nugent in the 20th doubled their lead and Andres Nieto widened their gap three minutes later.

 

Nieto then added his second of the match in the 65th minute. Angkor Tiger found a late response as Kodai Nagashima pulled one back in the 84th minute but Javier Gayoso quickly restored Phnom Penh’s four-goal cushion with a strike in the 88th.

 

Taiga Kitajima scored a consolation goal in stoppage time for Angkor to round out the scoreline.

 

In other matches, Boeung Ket fell 3-1 to Visakha, Tiffy Army secured a 2-0 win over Dangkor and Life FC were held 2-2 by Kirivong Sok Sen Chey.

Persib Bandung were officially crowned Liga 1 champions following a 1-1 draw against Barito Putera last week, securing the title with two matches to spare.

Barito Putera took the lead just before half-time through Jaime Jose Moreno Ciorciari.

 

Persib’s task looked to have become even more difficult after Edo Febriansyah was sent off in the 83rd minute for a second yellow card.

 

Persib, however, secured the vital point thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser from Yuswanto Aditya as they clinched the title.

 

In other matches, Dewa United comfortably beat Persita 3-0, Persebaya were held 1-1 by Semen Padang and Malut United suffered a 3-2 defeat to PSM Makassar.

Lion City Sailors FC warmed up for the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 final in perfect fashion after clinching the Singapore Premier League title with a 1-0 win against Tanjong Pagar.

The only goal of the game came from the penalty spot, calmly converted by Maxime Lestienne.

 

In other matches, Balestier Khalsa were beaten 4-3 by DPMM, Albirex Niigata swept past Geylang 4-1 and Tampines saw off Young Lions with a 2-0 victory.

Buriram United secured a dominant 3-0 victory over BG Pathum United to book their place in the Thai FA Cup final.

 

The deadlock was broken in the 47th minute by Jefferson David Tabinas. Goran Causic then doubled their lead seven minutes later, before Supachai Jaided wrapped up the win for the Thai League champions in the 75th minute.

Muangthong United edged Ratchaburi in a thrilling 3-2 encounter to join Buriram in the final.

 

Ratchaburi struck early through Tana in the third minute, but Muangthong responded swiftly with Melvyn Lorenzen equalising just two minutes later.

 

Kim Ji-min restored Ratchaburi’s lead in the 16th minute, only for Poramet Arjvirai to make it 2-2 in the 25th.

 

Poramet then netted his second with a dramatic winner in the 89th minute to send Muangthong through to the final on May 24.

Nam Dinh secured a narrow 2-1 win over Thanh Hoa, maintaining their five-point lead at the top of the table over second-placed Hanoi FC. Thanh Hoa, meanwhile, remain in sixth.

 

Nam Dinh took the lead in the 15th minute through Ly Cong Hoang Anh, who then doubled the advantage five minutes later.

Thanh Hoa pulled one back through Ribamar in the 47th minute, but it proved insufficient to change the result.

 

Second-placed Hanoi FC kept their hopes alive with a 2-1 win over Song Lam Nghe An, Hoang Anh Gia Lai defeated Viettel 2-1 and Da Nang claimed a 3-1 victory over Binh Dinh.