Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Jinan: Substitute Adisak Kraisorn struck in stoppage time as Thai treble winners Buriram United snatched a 1-1 draw with Chinese Super League runners-up Shandong Luneng in Tuesday’s AFC Champions League Group E opener at Jinan Olympic Sports Centre.
An 83rd minute strike from Shandong substitute Liu Bin Bin looked to have handed the 2005 quarter-finalists the ideal start to the campaign on their return to the AFC Champions League for the first time since 2011 after Brazilian Aloisio had missed a second half penalty for the home side.
But with Adisak sweeping home in the second minute of added time for 2013 quarter-finalists Buriram, Shandong were denied the chance to claim the first three points on offer in this season’s AFC Champions League.
Both teams made a fast paced start to the opening game of the new campaign, although it took 28 minutes for Shandong to register the first shot on target as Argentinian striker Walter Montillo fired straight at Buriram goalkeeper Siwarak Tedsungnoen.
That signaled a shift in momentum towards the home side as the half progressed, but it was Buriram who twice went close to a breakthrough before half-time as first Jay Simpson failed to direct Theerathon Bunmathan’s cross on target before Carmelo Gonzalez flashed a shot wide from just outside the penalty area.
Buriram made a strong start to the second half as Gonzalez did well to direct a difficult rising half volley on target, but Shandong goalkeeper Wang Dalei was up to the task to push away the striker.
And Shandong almost took full advantage 10 minutes after the restart as Prathum Chutong was adjudged to have tripped Aloisio inside the area, but the Brazilian blazed the resulting penalty over the crossbar.
Aloisio was presented with a chance to make amends four minutes later, but after racing clear of the Buriram defence from a clever through ball from compatriot Vagner Love, a combination of visiting defender Suree Sukha and goalkeeper Siwarak denied the Brazilian.
Simpson then drew a save from Wang three minutes after the hour mark as Buriram stepped up the pressure as the half progressed.
But with seven minutes remaining, Liu raced towards the Buriram goal and after holding off Kai Hirano, the substitute slipped the ball under advancing goalkeeper Siwarak having only replaced captain Wang Yongpo five minutes earlier.
Buriram, though, showed the spirit which saw them become the first Thai club in a decade to advance to the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League with their run to the quarter-finals last season as the Shandong defence allowed a free-kick from close to the halfway line to bounce through the penalty area and Adisak was on hand to sweep home from in front of Wang.