New signings fire Buriram United to 2-1 win over Ho Chi Minh City FC

2019 Thai League 1 runners-up will now face Chinese Super League giants Shanghai SIPG FC for a place in the group stages of ACL 2020 while V.League 2019 runners-up Ho Chi Minh City will drop down to the AFC Cup 2020.

Despite playing with home advantage, the Buriram attack failed to click in the first 45 minutes while V.League 2019 runners-up Ho Chi Minh City threatened to inflict damage on the Thunder Castles from the word go.

The Thai League giants were lucky to avoid conceding in the 21st minute when some horrendous defending from Sasalak Haiprakhon handed possession to Tran Phi Son inside the box. The visiting captain did round goalkeeper Siwarak Tedsungnoen, but his effort was blocked by the recovering Buriram defense.

Eight minutes later, it was the crossbar that came to the Thais ’rescue as Ngo Hoang Thinh’s free kick was pushed onto the crossbar by Thailand international Siwarak as Buriram hung on to parity.

However, Bozidar Bandovic’s men were fired up on their return to the pitch for the second period and it only needed the former Thai League champions eight minutes to break the deadlock against the run of play.

25-year-old full-back Narubadin Weerawatnodom did all the hard work on the right wing for Buriram and crossed in for their new Argentine forward Cuesta to net his first goal for the club stunning the visiting Vietnamese.

Buriram went on to double their advantage in the 74th minute and it was once again a new signing who netted as Brazilian striker Bueno scored off a corner kick to give them the safety of a two-goal lead.

That advantage, however, did not last long as Ho Chi Minh City star Pape Diakite headed in a cross from Phi Son three minutes later to reduce the deficit back to a single goal.

But, Buriram defense held on for the win and the Thai outfit will now travel to Shanghai to take on the Chinese Super League giants at the Yuanshen Sports Center Stadium on January 28.

Highlights

1 ′ - KICK OFF!

3 ′ - Chance for Nguyen Cong Phuong inside the box, but the new Ho Chi Minh City forward strikes wide as he is brought down by a hard tackle from Buriram defense.

15 ′ - Quarter of an hour played. No clear chances for either sides so far.

21 ′ - BIG ESCAPE FOR BURIRAM! Sasalak Haiprakhon fails to deal with a long ball into the box letting possession to Tran Phi Son who rounds goalkeeper Siwarak Tedsungnoen, but the Buriram defense recovers before the Ho Chi Minh City captain can fire into the goal.

29 ′ - HO CHI MINH CITY HIT THE WOODWORK! Ngo Hoang Thinh’s free kick has pushed onto the crossbar by Buriram goalkeeper Siwarak Tedsungnoen. The home side are living dangerously at the Chang Arena.

38 ′ - Free kick in from right by Sasalak Haiprakhon, but the delivery is just a little too high for the head of the Buriram attacker in front of the goal!

45 ′ - One minute added on!

HALF TIME: BURIRAM UNITED 0-0 HO CHI MINH CITY FC!

It has been goalless at the Chang Arena as we head for the half-time break, but it is visitors Ho Chi Minh City who had looked the better of the two sides in the first 45 minutes.

46 ′ - SECOND HALF BEGINS!

53 ′ - GOAL! BURIRAM UNITED 1-0 Ho Chi Minh City FC!

It is Buriram United who score against the run of play as Bernardo Cuesta slots in a cross after some good work from Narubadin Weerawatnodom on the wing.

72 ′ - GOAL! BURIRAM UNITED 2-0 Ho Chi Minh City FC!

Another another signing who gets his name on the scoresheet as Ricardo Bueno scores from a corner kick! Buriram now have a two-goal cushion against the visiting Ho Chi Minh City FC.

77 ′ - GOAL! Buriram United 2-1 HO CHI MINH CITY FC!

Ho Chi Minh City FC have reduced the deficit here as Pape Diakite heads in a cross from Tran Phi Son! Game on!

85 ′ - Five minutes left for Ho Chi Minh City to find an equaliser.

90 ′ - Three minutes added on!

FULL TIME: BURIRAM UNITED 2-1 HO CHI MINH CITY FC!

Buriram United edge Ho Chi Minh City FC 2-1 to set up a clash with Shanghai SIPG in the play-off stage of AFC Champions League 2020.