After nine months of competition, the 2025-26 Shopee Cup will be decided in the second leg at Chang Arena on Wednesday, where Buriram United will look to protect a 1-0 advantage earned in last week’s first leg.
On paper Buriram remain favourites to retain the regional title, but recent history suggests caution. The Thai League 1 champions needed extra time in the semifinals to overcome Johor Darul Ta’zim after a 3-1 first-leg win, a comeback that has encouraged Selangor as they prepare for the return match.
Selangor coach Kim Pan-Gon said scoring early will be crucial, noting that after Buriram opened the scoring in the first leg the visitors dropped deeper and made the match difficult. He added that the team has made plans to try to strike soon after kickoff.
Selangor will be without Mohammad Abualnadi and Noor Al-Rawabdeh, who have joined Jordan’s preparations for their World Cup debut. Kim nevertheless stressed the squad is not dependent on individuals and pointed to Chrigor, Alvin Fortes and Faisal Abdul Halim as potential match-winners. Chrigor scored all four goals in the 4-1 aggregate semifinal success over Thép Xanh Nam Định, while Faisal had been influential in the group stage.
Faisal said a one-goal deficit is not decisive and described the final as the club’s last game of the season, adding that the players have nothing to lose and must fight for the trophy over 90, and possibly 120, minutes.
Buriram captain Kenny Dougall expressed confidence in retaining the trophy, saying the squad expects to win and must remain focused despite the slender advantage. The champions will regain Guilherme Bissoli and Goran Čaušić after suspensions, while first-leg match-winner Suphanat Mueanta was stretchered off in the second half; coach Mark Jackson reportedly allayed concerns over the incident.
