Domestic Leagues
DR Congo international striker Jonathan Bolingi has now scored in back-to-back FA Cup finals for Buriram United as his double against Bangkok United in Sunday’s title decider ensured successive trebles for the Thunder Castle, who became the first team to achieve that feat in Thailand.
Johor Darul Ta’zim and Kuala Lumpur City are among the sides who progressed to the semi-finals of the FA Cup in Malaysia while there were also matches in Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Brunei Darussalam, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across ASEAN.
Philippines: Kaya secure maiden PFL title
Kaya FC-Iloilo secured the Philippines Football League title on Wednesday after rivals Cebu FC were held to a goalless draw by Stallion Laguna in their final game. Cebu had to win and hope Kaya dropped points against the Stallions on Saturday in order to claim the silverware.
But it was Kaya who won their first-ever league title, following three successive runners-up campaigns, after second-placed Cebu’s draw. Yu Hoshide’s men then celebrated the league triumph with a 3-1 win over Stallion on Saturday that saw them finish four points above Cebu.
Japanese midfielder Tamon Horikoshi and Philippines internationals Jesus Melliza and Javier Gayoso were on target for the newly crowned champions, who posted 18 wins in 22 matches during the fruitful season.
Thailand: Buriram win back-to-back trebles
Buriram United bagged a second successive treble in Thailand on Sunday after lifting the Thai FA Cup by defeating Bangkok United 2-0 in the final. This is the fourth treble in their history and the first in consecutive seasons as they added to their Thai League 1 and League Cup triumphs this campaign.
Congolese striker Jonathan Bolingi found the breakthrough at Thammasat Stadium in the 18th minute before doubling the lead in the fourth minute of first-half injury time – once again becoming Buriram’s FA Cup hero after scoring an extra-time winner against Nakhon Ratchasima in last year’s final.
However, Bolingi was not on the pitch when the referee blew the full-time whistle as Buriram finished the final with 10 men after the 28-year-old was shown a red card in the dying minutes of the game. It mattered little, though, as Masatada Ishii’s side lifted their sixth FA Cup since 2011.
Malaysia: JDT, KL City into FA Cup semis
Reigning champions Johor Darul Ta’zim posted a comprehensive 5-0 win over Penang on Sunday to progress to the semi-finals of the Malaysia FA Cup. The Southern Tigers were 2-0 up by half-time as Jordi Amat added to an own goal from Ousmane Fane at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
Arif Aiman, La'Vere Corbin-Ong and Syafiq Ahmad then sealed the 5-0 win in the second period for Esteban Solari’s side, who will next face Selangor after they came from behind to defeat Negeri Sembilan 3-1 in their quarter-final tie, powered by two goals from Venezuelan Yohandry Orozco on Saturday.
AFC Cup™ 2022 runners-up Kuala Lumpur City FC, meanwhile, booked their place in the final four as they edged Sabah 2-1 with goals from Romel Morales and T Saravana while Ismahil Akinade’s double for Kelantan FC went in vain as his side fell to a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Terengganu.
Meanwhile, JDT continue to lead the Malaysia Super League standings after they defeated third-placed Pahang 2-0 on Wednesday while Selangor remain eight points behind in second place as Jordan midfielder Noor Al Rawabdeh’s 78th-minute strike handed them a 3-2 victory against Kedah Darul Aman.
Elsewhere, Sabah defeated Perak 3-1, Terengganu edged Penang 1-0, Kuala Lumpur City were held to a 1-1 draw by Kuching City and PDRM ended their five-match losing streak with a 4-1 defeat of Kelantan FC. Finally, Negeri Sembilan and Kelantan United played out a 3-3 draw.
Singapore: Tampines maintain SPL lead
Tampines Rovers remain in the lead of the Singapore Premier League after they edged 10-man DPMM FC 1-0, courtesy of a second-half goal from Boris Kopitovic on Sunday. It was a third consecutive league victory for Gavin Lee’s side and gave the Stags a two-point advantage over Albirex Niigata (S).
Defending champions Albirex, powered by a brace from Japanese striker Seia Kunori, bounced back from a defeat to Lion City Sailors in their previous outing by ending Balestier Khalsa’s three-game winning streak with a 6-2 win over them on Friday. The second-placed Swans also have a game in hand.
Geylang International ended their three-game losing run when they defeated bottom side Young Lions 2-0 with goals from Iqbal Hussain and Amirul Adli. Hougang United, meanwhile, registered back-to-back victories with a 3-1 defeat of Tanjong Pagar United, courtesy of goals from Kristijan Krajcek, Amy Recha and Gabriel Quak.
Vietnam: Thanh Hoa leave it late for win
Thanh Hoa are four points clear at the top of the V.League 1 standings after they posted a last-gasp 3-2 win over Viettel FC on Sunday. Goals from Jahongir Abdumuminov and Van Hao Duong had Viettel 2-1 up, but Gustavo’s late double meant the Velizar Popov’s table-toppers secured all three points against the visitors.
Cong An Hanoi made it four wins in a row as goals from Le Van Do and Jhon Cley sealed a 2-1 win against Song Lam Nghe An on Friday while defending champions Hanoi FC are winless in three games after being held to a 1-1 draw by Becamex Binh Duong on Saturday.
Fourth-placed Binh Dinh and fifth-placed Nam Dinh played out a 1-1 draw, as did Da Nang and Hoang Anh Gia Lai, while Hai Phong edged Sanna Khanh Hoa 2-1. Elsewhere, Hong Linh Ha Thinh recovered from 3-1 down to defeat Ho Chi Minh City 4-3.
Cambodia: Nagaworld, Phnom Penh book final ticket
Nagaworld reached the final of the Cambodian League Cup after holding Visakha FC to a 1-1 draw in the semi-final second leg on Saturday. Nagaworld won the first leg at home against Simon McMenemy’s side 1-0 in April and progressed to the title decider with a 2-1 aggregate win.
In the final, to be held on Sunday, Nagaworld will take on defending champions Phnom Penh Crown, who defeated Kirivong Sok Sen Chey 6-0 on aggregate to book the final berth. Phnom Penh, who posted a 3-0 win over their opponents in the first leg, repeated the result in the return leg to advance.
Myanmar: Leaders Shan held by newcomers
Defending champions Shan United dropped points for the first time in the Myanmar National League on Saturday as they were held to a goalless draw by newly promoted Kachin United. Leaders Shan won their first five matches this season before the surprise draw against Kachin, who are bottom of the table.
Yangon United reduced the gap to one point after a 4-0 win over Mahar United on Friday while Hantharwady United are in third place following a narrow 1-0 victory against Dagon FC. Chinland and Myawady played out a 1-1 draw, with Yadanarbon defeating Ayeyawady United 3-0 and Rakhine United drawing 1-1 ISPE.
Laos: Young Elephants remain perfect
Young Elephants made it nine wins from as many matches in Lao League 1 as they defeated Champasak United 4-0 on Saturday. Master 7 FC are in second place and trail the leaders by eight points following their 3-1 defeat of Luangprabang United on Sunday.
Elsewhere in Laos, fourth-placed Lao Army are unbeaten in three matches as they edged third-placed Ezra 2-1 while Namtha United and Viengchanh shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
Brunei Darussalam: Kasuka win six in a row
Kasuka FC posted an 8-1 win over Bakes on Sunday to make it six wins out of six and maintain their lead in Brunei Darussalam. AKSE Bersatu defeated KB FC 2-0 to move into second place while Indera, who defeated Rimba Star 2-0, are also tied on points with AKSE, five points behind the leaders.
Kasuka FC posted an 8-1 win over Bakes on Sunday to make it six wins out of six and maintain their lead in Brunei Darussalam. AKSE Bersatu defeated KB FC 2-0 to move into second place while Indera, who defeated Rimba Star 2-0, are also tied on points with AKSE, five points behind the leaders.
Wijaya FC suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of MS ABDB on Friday while IKLS-MB5 FC posted their second win in six games as they overcame BSRC 4-2 on Saturday. Kota Ranger defeated Setia Perdana 3-0, MS PPDB beat Panchor Murai 4-1 and Jerudong defeated Lun Bawang 5-3.
Photo: Kaya FC-Iloilo
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