Kirins, Kawasaki clash tonight
Muang Thong United will make their first ever appearance in the AFC Champions League knockout stages tonight at a time when their deteriorating form on the local front has become a cause for major concern for the team management.
The Kirins host Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in the last-16 first leg at SCG Stadium tonight.
The Thai league champions enjoyed a hugely successful Group E campaign after securing their place in the last 16 with a game to spare to progress to the knockout stage.
They lost 2-1 to Kashima Antlers in Japan in their last group game after they had already secured a berth in the knockout round.
Kawasaki drew their first four Group G games before eventually finding their winning form when it mattered to top the standings unbeaten.
And the Japanese side go into the tie on the back of an excellent 3-0 victory over Kashima on Friday.
Muang Thong will welcome Celio Santos, Lee Ho and Tristan Do back from suspension, but go into the game on a dismal run of form that saw them lose three in a row in Thai League 1.
Muang Thong coach Totchtawan Sripan said yesterday: “The three matches we lost in Thai League 1 do not worry us because the two events are different. We have done well in the ACL so far, but of course the standard of teams from Japan is among the best in Asia.
“Three of our foreign players Naoaki Aoyama, Lee Ho and Celio Santos will be available for the game but Xisco Jiminez is not ready yet. We will try our best to win this match.”
With forwards Xisco and Adisak Kraisorn injured, Teerasil Dangda is likely to start as a lone striker.
Kawasaki coach Toru Oniki said: “We know Muang Thong are very good and strong when playing at home, but we have come here to win. Our team is ready and we hope to get a good result.”
Meanwhile, embittered Buriram United coach Ranko Popovic labelled his team’s 2-2 draw with Police Tero on Sunday night as a “disgraceful match” which dashed the northeastern giants’ dream of overtaking Muang Thong at the top of Thai League 1.
The recent slump in defending champions Muang Thong’s form had given hopes to four-time top-flight winners Buriram of claiming the No.1 spot. However, the two sides now have an identical 34 points.
Popovic said: “It was a disgraceful match. I feel sorry for my players that they have to face more than 11 opponents in every game. They [Police Tero] were awarded a penalty when we committed a foul outside the penalty area, but we were denied one when they fouled inside the box.”
Police Tero coach Uthai Boonmao said: “We only tried to avoid repeating mistakes we made in the last match and it worked.”