Johor Darul Ta'zim Were Held One All by Ten Man Buriram United in Their Asian Champions League Elite Opener
Neil Etheridge saved a late Bergson penalty for the Thai champions, and both sides finished the Southeast Asian derby with ten men in Johor.
Johor Darul Ta'zim drew 1-1 with Buriram United at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on 15 September 2026 in the opening round of the AFC Champions League Elite East Zone league stage, a meeting of the Malaysian and Thai champions.
Oscar Arribas gave the hosts the lead in the 26th minute, but Stefan Schimmer equalised for Buriram shortly before half-time. JDT lost Goran Causic to injury after only 12 minutes, while a crowd of more than 30,000 watched at the stadium, according to Malaysian football site Makan Bola.
Buriram were reduced to ten men in the 57th minute when Kenneth Dougall received a second yellow card. JDT pressed for a winner and had 59 per cent of possession, but Buriram goalkeeper Neil Etheridge saved a penalty from Bergson in the 87th minute. Etheridge made seven saves in total, according to 365Scores.
JDT also finished with ten men after Eddy Israfilov was sent off in stoppage time. Arif Aiman was named player of the match with a Sofascore rating of 7.5, according to Makan Bola. Elsewhere on the East Zone's first matchday, Kashima Antlers beat Newcastle Jets 7-1 and Gamba Osaka defeated Cong An Ha Noi 4-1.
Both clubs return to domestic action on 20 September, when JDT face Penang in the Malaysia FA Cup quarter-finals and Buriram play Chonburi in the Thai League. JDT's next continental fixture is away to Pohang Steelers on 13 October, and Buriram will host Beijing Guoan in their second match.