AFC Champions League - Group H
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 0-2 Kashiwa Reysol
Buriram United 1-2 Guangzhou Evergrande
Buriram
United bravely bowed out of the AFC Champions League after losing 2-1 to
Guangzhou Evergrande. Their fate was actually sealed 20 minutes into the
contest when news filtered through of Kashiwa Reysol's 2-0 win in the
earlier kick off in Jeonbuk. The South Korean side were thoroughly
disappointing and goals from Leandro Domingues and Tanaka early in the
second half ensured that the J-League champions progressed to the last
16.
The game in Buriram ended with Conca scoring a late winner from the
spot for Guangzhou to ensure that the moved into the last 16 with
Kashiwa Reysol. Gao Lin's breakaway opened the scoring for the away side
on 49 minutes but the Thais levelled on midway through the half when
Suriya capitalised on a defensive error. Both sides had chances but it
was the late penalty that won the contest.
Even though Buriram didn't qualify, they'll have benefited from the
experience of playing a higher calibre of opposition. Frank Achaempong
was the star performer throughout and his performances will certainly
have alerted the scouting networks of Asia and Europe.
It's now back to the bread and butter of domestic football for the
Thunder Castle. With several catch up games to play, it's going to fully
test Buriram's resources if they are to retain their TPL crown.
No comments:
Post a Comment