Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Buriram: Buriram United coach Alexandre Gama claimed his experience of working with the Korea Republic national team played a key role in his side’s 2-1 win over Seongnam FC in Group F of the AFC Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Gama, who worked alongside Cho Kwang-rae as assistant coach when the Koreans finished in third place at the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar in 2011, saw his side pick up an impressive win thanks to two rapid-fire goals in the first half at Buriram Stadium.
Match report: Buriram United 2-1 Seongnam FC
Deeprom Prakit struck after just 16 minutes from close range before Brazilian Gilberto Macedo raced more than half the length of the pitch to claim his side’s second two minutes later to earn Buriram all three points.
“We were very ready for this game and I am very familiar with the performance of the team from South Korea for many years, so we could take advantage of this for our team,” said the Brazilian coach.
“Our players were able to follow our tactical plan completely, so we’re very satisfied with the three points we gained from this game.
“In the next game we play against Guangzhou R&F, who are a good team, but we will do our best.”
Seongnam were second best throughout the game and only a late own goal from Narubadin Weerawatnodom following Hwang Ui-jo’s cross gave the two-time champions any hope of salvaging a point.
But in the end, the K-League Classic side did little to impress and Seongnam almost conceded a third in injury time, only for Diogo to drag his shot harmlessly across the face of goal.
“We couldn’t control the game as we expected,” said Seongnam coach Kim Hag-bum. “The turning point was when we lost two goals very quickly in the first half. That created an unexpected situation for us.
“We have to accept that Buriram were the stronger team and they deserved to win this game.”
Photo: WSG