Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Buriram: Buriram United coach Alejandro Menendez is hoping home field advantage will allow the Thai Premier League champions to finally kick start their faltering AFC Champions League campaign when they host Cerezo Osaka on Wednesday.
Buriram, quarter-finalists last year when they were eliminated by Iran’s Esetghlal, have collected just one point from their opening three games in Group E and take on a Cerezo side that handed them a comprehensive 4-0 defeat on Matchday 3.
Defeat could end Buriram’s hopes in the competition, but in the hot and humid conditions of Thailand Menendez believes his side can add three points to the draw they secured with Shandong Luneng on the opening day of the competition against the impressive J.League side.
"Tomorrow we'll play on our ground and in familiar weather, which is definitely a plus,” said the Spaniard. “With this environment it should be different story from the last match. We must win this time.
"We haven’t performed well enough in the AFC Champions League. Maybe not so terrible, but we could have more points. So three points from tomorrow’s match are crucial.”
Cerezo strike duo Yoichiro Kakitani and Diego Forlan were amongst the goal scorers in the last meeting between the two teams and Menendez knows his side cannot afford to slip up against a side with such attacking talent.
"Cerezo have very skillful strikers,” he said. “Their conversion rate is high and even a minor error could cost us."
Cerezo are currently in third place in Group E, one point behind leaders Shandong and Pohang Steelers and coach Ranko Popovic knows the conditions could work against his players.
"Obviously it's very hot here, but that won't count as an excuse, as we have already prepared for it,” said the former FC Tokyo coach.
"We must play as planned and use both our mental and physical strength to beat them. The real hindrance is the pressure inside us. I just hope that the home team will supply us with enough water tomorrow.”
Photo: WSG