Brave Buriram United put up a gallant effort as their AFC Champions League adventure came to an end. The Thai league leaders dominated the opening 45 minutes but a second half fightback from Estaghlal saw them win 2-1.
Buriram were trailing 1-0 from the first leg and they started the second leg with no recognized striker. That left them with no focal point upfront and their best attacking threats came down the flanks in the opening period. Suree's low cross from the right caused panic in the visitor's box before it was eventually cleared. Suchao was then blocked out as he tried to connect with Jakkrapan's deflected cross from the other wing.
At the other end, Siwaruk got his body behind a stinging effort from Andranik in the fifth minute, but apart from that he was a spectator for the first 45 minutes.
The 1-0 first leg advantage for the Iranian side was wiped out in the 37th minute when an unmarked Osmar rose highest to nod home Jirawat's corner. There was no doubting that the Thai side bossed the first period as they took a one goal advantage into the break.
The visitors changed their formation and brought on captain Farhad Majidi for the second half. The sub came close with a header shortly after his introduction as Esteghlal looked more lively.
In the 53rd minute Esteghlal got the crucial away goal that they were looking for. Omranzadeh outjumped Suree at the back post to head home a precise cross from Andranik.
Fahrad almost scored a spectacular overhead kick five minutes later but Osmar was in the right position to block.
The game lulled for 15 minutes as the Iranian side sat back to defend their advantage. Buriram pushed Osmar forward and he tested Rahmati with a shot from the edge of the box. Minutes later the big Spaniard had another free header from a corner but this time it was deflected wide.
In injury time, Esteghlal won the game on the night when Andranik lashed in a screamer from 35 yards. Siwaruk had no chance as it ended 3-1 on aggregate
Esteghlal will now meet FC Seoul in the semi final next Wednesday. On tonight's evidence they don't appear good enough to be the champions of Asia but they'll fancy their chances against FC Seoul.
For Buriram it's been a major achievement reaching the last 8 of the competition. Tonight if they'd had a proper attacking outlet, it could have been a different story. It's now back to the bread and butter of the TPL and a trip to Army United on Sunday.
Showing posts with label Osmar Ibanez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Osmar Ibanez. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Buriram United 1-1 Muangthong United
The 'Super Big Match' ended honors even with both goals being netted from penalty kicks. Overall a draw was a fair result and it keeps the title race interesting for the majority of the Thai football community.
The first keeper called into action was Visanusak of Muangthong after seven minutes. He punched a whipped in Theerathon free kick into the air as the home side made the brighter start.
Muangthong gradually settled after a nervy first ten minutes and Piyaphon's low 30 yard drive fizzed about a foot wide of the post.
In the 15th minute, Tanasak made a great block as Dagno Siaka was about to pull the trigger yards from the goal after he'd been teed up by Gjurovski.
Five minutes later, it really should have been 1-0 to Buriram when Carmello released Kai Hirano on the left. The Japanese attacker was through on the keeper, but he sliced his shot wide of the target.
Muangthong were aiming most of their attacks down the right flank, and that tactic almost paid dividends in the 31st minute. Teerasil found space behind Theerathon and his cross into the six yard box was headed tamely wide by Piyaphon's well groomed mane. It the player's positions had been reversed, surely it would have been 1-0.
Moments later at the other end, Ri Kwang Chon's attempted clearance with his back to the ball was miscued directly into the path of Berrocal. The recent signing panicked and pulled his shot meters wide of the target. The meek effort from the Spaniard summed up his contribution throughout the match. The Thunder Castle clearly missed the attacking presence of Javier Patino.
The home side were turning up the tempo and Visanusak made a great block to deny Carmelo from seven yards after Suree had pulled the ball back to him. The TPL top scorer was making his return to the side after a spell in the doghouse and it was him who was looking like Buriram's best bet for a goal.
Three minutes before the interval, a 30 yard Datsakorn free kick hit the top of the crossbar as the action crossed back to the opposite end.
It was 0-0 at the break, and it was the guests who had the first effort in the second period. Gjurovski found Thitipan down the right, but yet again the quality of finish was poor as he pulled his shot across the goal.
Muangthong's stand in keeper was certainly a puncher and his failure to catch the ball from crosses was causing his side problems. Osmar Ibanez almost took advantage of one of his fisted flaps, but his shot on the turn was blocked on the line by a cluster red shirts.
In the 59th minute, Buriram were awarded a penalty when Kai Hirano slipped in Surat. He was bundled over by Artit as he turned in the box. The South Korean whistler pointed to the spot and Osmar Ibanez duly opened the scoring sending Visanusak the wrong way.
Five minutes later, the referee evened things up when he penalised Tanasak for nudging over Mario Gjurovski as he was bearing down on goal. The Macedonian dusted himself down to even matters.
The match was then held up for several minutes as Visanusak received a lengthy spell of treatment that required oxygen. He was eventually replaced by SEA games hopeful Kampol.
The match lost it's way once it resumed with both sides seeming content to settle for a point. There was very little to note in the last quarter as it ended 1-1.
The draw leaves Muangthong three points behind Buriram in the official TPL table having both played 20 games. It should be noted that Muangthong's points haul includes the 2-1 win at Sisaket earlier in the year. So effectively Buriram are six points clear having played an extra game.
The first keeper called into action was Visanusak of Muangthong after seven minutes. He punched a whipped in Theerathon free kick into the air as the home side made the brighter start.
Muangthong gradually settled after a nervy first ten minutes and Piyaphon's low 30 yard drive fizzed about a foot wide of the post.
In the 15th minute, Tanasak made a great block as Dagno Siaka was about to pull the trigger yards from the goal after he'd been teed up by Gjurovski.
Five minutes later, it really should have been 1-0 to Buriram when Carmello released Kai Hirano on the left. The Japanese attacker was through on the keeper, but he sliced his shot wide of the target.
Muangthong were aiming most of their attacks down the right flank, and that tactic almost paid dividends in the 31st minute. Teerasil found space behind Theerathon and his cross into the six yard box was headed tamely wide by Piyaphon's well groomed mane. It the player's positions had been reversed, surely it would have been 1-0.
Moments later at the other end, Ri Kwang Chon's attempted clearance with his back to the ball was miscued directly into the path of Berrocal. The recent signing panicked and pulled his shot meters wide of the target. The meek effort from the Spaniard summed up his contribution throughout the match. The Thunder Castle clearly missed the attacking presence of Javier Patino.
The home side were turning up the tempo and Visanusak made a great block to deny Carmelo from seven yards after Suree had pulled the ball back to him. The TPL top scorer was making his return to the side after a spell in the doghouse and it was him who was looking like Buriram's best bet for a goal.
Three minutes before the interval, a 30 yard Datsakorn free kick hit the top of the crossbar as the action crossed back to the opposite end.
It was 0-0 at the break, and it was the guests who had the first effort in the second period. Gjurovski found Thitipan down the right, but yet again the quality of finish was poor as he pulled his shot across the goal.
Muangthong's stand in keeper was certainly a puncher and his failure to catch the ball from crosses was causing his side problems. Osmar Ibanez almost took advantage of one of his fisted flaps, but his shot on the turn was blocked on the line by a cluster red shirts.
In the 59th minute, Buriram were awarded a penalty when Kai Hirano slipped in Surat. He was bundled over by Artit as he turned in the box. The South Korean whistler pointed to the spot and Osmar Ibanez duly opened the scoring sending Visanusak the wrong way.
Five minutes later, the referee evened things up when he penalised Tanasak for nudging over Mario Gjurovski as he was bearing down on goal. The Macedonian dusted himself down to even matters.
The match was then held up for several minutes as Visanusak received a lengthy spell of treatment that required oxygen. He was eventually replaced by SEA games hopeful Kampol.
The match lost it's way once it resumed with both sides seeming content to settle for a point. There was very little to note in the last quarter as it ended 1-1.
The draw leaves Muangthong three points behind Buriram in the official TPL table having both played 20 games. It should be noted that Muangthong's points haul includes the 2-1 win at Sisaket earlier in the year. So effectively Buriram are six points clear having played an extra game.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Chonburi 1-4 Buriram United
Buriram United made it a two horse race with Muangthong United for the TPL title after a convincing 4-1 win at Chonburi. Buriram's joy at beating Chonburi would have been doubled when they found out that nine-man table leaders Muangthong had lost 3-1 at Suphanburi.
The opening exchanges in this contest were rather cagey with neither side committing too many men forward.
On 25 minutes the breakthrough was made when a Theerethon free kick wasn't dealt with by Sinthaweechai and Tanasak took advantage of the error to knock the ball in from close range.
Adul could have equalized a few minutes later, but fired over the bar from the edge of the box after Pipob had set him up.
In first half stoppage time, Chonburi thought they'd levelled when Thiago netted via a parried save by Sivaruk. However, the Malaysian officials thought otherwise and the goal was ruled out for offside which meant the Thunder Castle went in 1-0 to the good at half time.
Eight minutes after the interval, Adul was teed up again at the edge of the box, but this time he sliced his shot wide.
One minute later though, Buriram made it 2-0. Kai Hirano found acres of space behind the Chonburi right back, and his cross into the box was dummied by Carmelo which left the unmarked Javier Patino the simple task of side-footing home.
Thiago blazed over the bar and Pipob couldn't connect to a low cross from Kushida as the hosts tried to get quickly back into the game.
Pipob again had a glorious chance for a goal in the 75th minute, but he headed wide from inside the six yard box.
Three minutes later, the game appeared to be over when Ekkachai hit a Carmelo cutback into the roof of the net.
Chonburi could have given up, but moments later a Pipob back heeler was ruled out for offside despite it looking suspiciously onside.
Nonetheless, with nine minutes left on the clock, Narul fired home a long ball from Diakite to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
In injury time, a quickly taken free kick caught the Chonburi defence napping and Carmelo Gonzalez made it 4-1.
The win for Buriram moved them six points clear of the Sharks and with Muangthong's loss at Suphanburi, it reduced the gap at the top to only one point.
Man of the Match: Osmar Ibanez - Best defender in the TPL
The opening exchanges in this contest were rather cagey with neither side committing too many men forward.
On 25 minutes the breakthrough was made when a Theerethon free kick wasn't dealt with by Sinthaweechai and Tanasak took advantage of the error to knock the ball in from close range.
Adul could have equalized a few minutes later, but fired over the bar from the edge of the box after Pipob had set him up.
In first half stoppage time, Chonburi thought they'd levelled when Thiago netted via a parried save by Sivaruk. However, the Malaysian officials thought otherwise and the goal was ruled out for offside which meant the Thunder Castle went in 1-0 to the good at half time.
Eight minutes after the interval, Adul was teed up again at the edge of the box, but this time he sliced his shot wide.
One minute later though, Buriram made it 2-0. Kai Hirano found acres of space behind the Chonburi right back, and his cross into the box was dummied by Carmelo which left the unmarked Javier Patino the simple task of side-footing home.
Thiago blazed over the bar and Pipob couldn't connect to a low cross from Kushida as the hosts tried to get quickly back into the game.
Pipob again had a glorious chance for a goal in the 75th minute, but he headed wide from inside the six yard box.
Three minutes later, the game appeared to be over when Ekkachai hit a Carmelo cutback into the roof of the net.
Chonburi could have given up, but moments later a Pipob back heeler was ruled out for offside despite it looking suspiciously onside.
Nonetheless, with nine minutes left on the clock, Narul fired home a long ball from Diakite to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
In injury time, a quickly taken free kick caught the Chonburi defence napping and Carmelo Gonzalez made it 4-1.
The win for Buriram moved them six points clear of the Sharks and with Muangthong's loss at Suphanburi, it reduced the gap at the top to only one point.
Man of the Match: Osmar Ibanez - Best defender in the TPL
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Buriram United 1-1 Vegalta Sendai
It was heartbreak for Buriram United when Vegalta Sendai snatched an undeserved point deep into injury time.
The opening 45 minutes was very scrappy with several fouls breaking up any flow to the match. Poor quality was being delivered into the final third as it passed by without much to excite the spectators.
Nonetheless, the best chance of the first half came just shy of the interval when a Hirano cross was met at the near post by Surat, but his header fizzed about half a meter wide of the target.
Eight minutes after the break Buriram got the break they were looking for when Osmar got a faint touch to a whipped in Theerathorn free kick to give the Thunder Castle a 1-0 lead.
The goal was the catalyst to lift the spirits of the Thai side. Just after the hour, a Carmelo Gonzalez shot from the edge of the box scraped the edge of the post as Buriram pressed for another goal.
In the 70th minute, Buriram should really have doubled their advantage when they countered following a Vegalta Sendai corner. Carmelo's pass found Ekkachai with a run in on goal, but the former Thai Port man's shot was scuffed straight into Takuto's grasp.
With eight minutes left on the clock, Theerathorn was denied by the crossbar as his curling free kick from the right flank crashed onto it.
Yet again another counter from the Thunder Castle in the last minute of normal time should have resulted in the decisive goal after Hirano and Carmelo linked up, but Carmelo's effort went agonisingly wide of the post.
With Buriram spurning all of these chances there was always the feeling that it would come back to haunt them. In the 93rd minute, Siwaruk, who'd been a virtual spectator for the whole game, weekly punched away a cross form the right which was then subsequently volleyed home by substitute Nakahara Takayuki for an undeserved equalizer.
At the end of the match, Buriram were gutted that they didn't collect the three points that their second half performance merited. The injury time goal was the first that they've conceded at home in this AFC campaign and you just have the feeling that it could be the goal that ultimately knocks them out of the competition.
Man of the Match: Osmar Ibanez - Buriram's rock at the back
The opening 45 minutes was very scrappy with several fouls breaking up any flow to the match. Poor quality was being delivered into the final third as it passed by without much to excite the spectators.
Nonetheless, the best chance of the first half came just shy of the interval when a Hirano cross was met at the near post by Surat, but his header fizzed about half a meter wide of the target.
Eight minutes after the break Buriram got the break they were looking for when Osmar got a faint touch to a whipped in Theerathorn free kick to give the Thunder Castle a 1-0 lead.
The goal was the catalyst to lift the spirits of the Thai side. Just after the hour, a Carmelo Gonzalez shot from the edge of the box scraped the edge of the post as Buriram pressed for another goal.
In the 70th minute, Buriram should really have doubled their advantage when they countered following a Vegalta Sendai corner. Carmelo's pass found Ekkachai with a run in on goal, but the former Thai Port man's shot was scuffed straight into Takuto's grasp.
With eight minutes left on the clock, Theerathorn was denied by the crossbar as his curling free kick from the right flank crashed onto it.
Yet again another counter from the Thunder Castle in the last minute of normal time should have resulted in the decisive goal after Hirano and Carmelo linked up, but Carmelo's effort went agonisingly wide of the post.
With Buriram spurning all of these chances there was always the feeling that it would come back to haunt them. In the 93rd minute, Siwaruk, who'd been a virtual spectator for the whole game, weekly punched away a cross form the right which was then subsequently volleyed home by substitute Nakahara Takayuki for an undeserved equalizer.
At the end of the match, Buriram were gutted that they didn't collect the three points that their second half performance merited. The injury time goal was the first that they've conceded at home in this AFC campaign and you just have the feeling that it could be the goal that ultimately knocks them out of the competition.
Man of the Match: Osmar Ibanez - Buriram's rock at the back
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Thai Clubs Fightback to Earn AFC Draws
Vegalta Sendai 1-1 Buriram United
Defender Osmar Ibanez's 76th minute header secured a point for Buriram United in their opening AFC encounter at Vegalta Sendai.
The game was played on a bitterly cold night and it was fair to say that the first half was at best lukewarm as a spectacle. Buriram's defence lead by Osmar defended well limiting Vegalta to only a couple of shots that flew wide while Anawin and Bustos had half chances at the other end.
Whatever the homeside had with their half time sake seemed to work as they came out fired up. Muto should have opened the scoring four minutes into the half, but he miscued wide when he should really have scored.
Shortly afterwards, Vegalta were awarded a penalty after the ball deflected on to Osmar's arm via his face. It was slightly harsh but the referee from Hong Kong probably made the right call.
Ryang Yong Gi hit the penalty low to Siwarak's right to score despite the Buriram keeper getting a hand to it.
Within a minute of the goal, Anthony spurned a great chance when he failed to convert a free header from Theeratorn's cross.
The Japanese side started to look dangerous on the counter attack and Siwarak thwarted a couple of their breaks with sprightly saves to keep the Thai side in the contest.
Buriram must have been thankful for their keeper's saves as Osmar levelled on 76 minutes. The big Spaniard glanced home Theeratorn's pinpoint corner to silence the Sendai Ultras inside the Yurtec Stadium.
Buriram kept it tight and held out for a deserved point. Apart from a 20 minute spell at the beginning of the second half, the Thai side more than matched their more illustrious opponents.
Next up for Buriram will be a home game in warmer conditions against FC Seoul who spanked Jiangsu Sainty 5-1.
Muangthong United 2-2 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Muangthong United twice came from behind to ensure that the spoils were shared at the Thunderdome.
The home side set themselves up rather cautiously, yet they were dealt an early blow when Panupong was unluckily penalised for a trip on Sangmin. The Iranian referee pointed to the spot and the veteran Lee Dong Gook stepped up to smash low and hard past Weera in the sixth minute.
Teerasil should have done better five minutes later when he blasted a great chance over the bar after he'd latched onto a through ball.
Despite the early set back, the Thai champions were still content to sit back allowing the Koreans to control the play and possession.
When they did eventually come out of their shell, Muangthong forced a couple of chances from Djurovski free kicks. First up, Yoo Jin flicked narrowly past the post while Pichitphong forced Eun Sung to make a low save following a beautifully rehearsed free kick.
Weera finally made his first real save on 37 minutes as he spectacularly tipped over a goal bound Lee Dong Gook header.
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| Mario |
After the break, Linz was pushed forward and had a couple of headed efforts in the opening ten minutes of the half. The first was headed straight at Eun Sung, but the second following a corner hit the side of the post with the keeper beaten.
The game then settled down for a period and it appeared that both sides would have gladly settled for a point.
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| Kevin Oris celebrates |
As time was running out, Muangthong brought on Weerawut and Sarawut in a bid to salvage the game. With two minutes left on the clock, Weerawut won a corner. From the resultant dead ball, Yoo Jin ran from the back post to guide the ball home even though there were hints of a deflection off a Jeonbuk defender.
Weera still had to be alert in injury time to save a left footed shot from Hyuk as Muangthong grabbed a deserved point.
In the other group game, the Chinese powerhouse Guangzhou Evergrande comfortably beat Urawa Reds 3-0. Muangthong will travel to Japan in a fortnight hoping to inflict more misery on Urawa Reds.
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