Buriram United, down to 10 men, won on penalties against Melbourne City today to reach the ACL Elite quarterfinals for the second consecutive year.
On 10 March 2026 GMT+7, in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 Round of 16 second leg, Buriram United, Thailand's sole representative, faced Melbourne City FC from Australia. The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw.
In the 21st minute, Buriram United was reduced to 10 players when Robert Zulj committed a harsh tackle on Harry Shillington, prompting the referee to issue a red card and send off the Austrian player.
In the 31st minute, from a short corner by Melbourne City, Aziz Behich passed to Daniel Arzani, who took a right-footed shot, but it was saved by Buriram's goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.
In the 40th minute, Buriram had a scoring chance when Peter Zulj dribbled over half the field before shooting left-footed from distance, but Melbourne City goalkeeper Patrick Bies caught the ball.
At 45+5 minutes, Melbourne City nearly took the lead when Daniel Arzani set up striker Medin Memeti for a one-on-one opportunity, but Neil Etheridge made an incredible save.
Afterward, neither side could find the net, and Buriram United remained tied 0-0 with Melbourne City FC.
At the start of the second half, in the 46th minute, Peter Zulj passed to Guilherme Bissoli, who took his first long-range shot of the match, but it was saved by Melbourne City goalkeeper Patrick Bies.
In the 58th minute, Nathaniel Atkinson delivered a cross from the right flank, and Marcus Yunis attempted a shot, but it was off target. The score remained 0-0.
In the 75th minute, Melbourne City scored through Nathaniel Atkinson, but the goal was disallowed due to an offside position.
In the 88th minute, a defensive miscommunication for Buriram United allowed Max Caputo a clear chance, but Neil Etheridge again made an impressive save.
With no further goals, the match ended 0-0 in regular time, leading to 30 minutes of extra time.
In the 91st minute, Melbourne City almost took the lead when Aziz Behich passed from midfield to Max Caputo, who shot with his left foot just wide of the goal.
At the 105th minute, Neil Etheridge made two consecutive saves from shots by Marcus Yunis and Elbansan Rasini, keeping Buriram United level.
No more goals were scored in the first half of extra time, with the score still 0-0.
In the 113th minute, Supachai Jaided fired a powerful shot from nearly 40 yards, but Patrick Bies was positioned well to save it.
In the 119th minute, Melbourne City was reduced to 10 men after Kerman Ferreira punched Ruben Sanchez. After VAR review, the referee showed a red card to the Argentine defender.
At 120+1 minutes, Kenneth Duggal dribbled past three Melbourne defenders before shooting left-footed, but the shot went off target over the crossbar.
With no further goals in the second half of extra time, the score remained 0-0, leading to a penalty shootout to decide the winner.
Melbourne City took the first penalty in the shootout, followed by Buriram United.
Max Caputo, Melbourne City's first penalty taker, scored, and Goran Kausic, Buriram's first taker, also scored.
Ryan Teague, Melbourne City's second taker, had his shot saved by Neil Etheridge, while Kingsley Schindler, Buriram's second taker, scored.
Aziz Behich, Melbourne City's third penalty taker, was saved by Neil Etheridge, and Peter Zulj, Buriram's third taker, scored.
Marcus Yunis, Melbourne City's fourth taker, scored, and Kenneth Duggal, Buriram's fourth taker, also scored.
At the end of the shootout, Buriram United achieved their goal by advancing to the ACL Elite 2025/26 quarterfinals after winning the penalty shootout 5-3 over Melbourne City FC.
Buriram United Neil Etheridge, Sandy Walsh (substituted by Supachai Jaided 46'), Ko Myung-suk (substituted by Shinphat Leaw 120+4'), Curtis Good, Eduardo Mancha (substituted by Filip Stojkovic 10'), Kingsley Schindler, Goran Kausic, Peter Zulj, Robert Zulj, Suphanat Mueanta (substituted by Kenneth Duggal 25'), Guilherme Bissoli (substituted by Kasper Junker 71') (Ruben Sanchez 106')
Melbourne City FC Patrick Bies, Harry Shillington (substituted by Kavian Rahmani 46'), Kerman Ferreira, Samuel Suprayan, Aziz Behich, Nathaniel Atkinson, Ryan Teague, Andreas Quinn (substituted by Elbansan Rasini 87'), Marcus Yunis, Medin Memeti (substituted by Max Caputo 80'), Daniel Arzani (substituted by Lawrence Wong 101')