Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Nanjing: Two goals inside a minute in the first half earned Jiangsu Sainty their first-ever win in the AFC Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Buriram United that moves the Chinese Super League side into second position as Group E reaches the halfway stage.
Lu Bofei and Sun Ke scored late in the first period to earn all three points for Dragan Okuka’s team, who now have four points from their first three games and sit in second place in the group, three behind leaders FC Seoul.
Jiangsu leapfrogged over both Buriram United and J.League side Vegalta Sendai and will now be eying a place in the knockout phase of the competition on their debut appearance in the continental club championship.
“This is a sweet night as we finally have our first AFC Champions League win,” said Jiangsu’s Serbian coach Dragan Okuka. “But it’s not only about the good result, we also enjoyed a good process. It is the best birthday gift to me.
“Probably there will be a birthday cake ready for me in the hotel, but we have to prepare for our (Chinese Super League) game against Beijing Guoan, so I don't have too much time to celebrate.
“In our first game in the AFC Champions League we were too nervous to show what we were capable of. Afterwards our players got used to the tempo and atmosphere of the AFC Champions League, so we're back on track.”
The Nanjing-based club – who finished as runners-up behind Guangzhou Evergrande last season in the Chinese league – have bounced back from their opening day 5-1 loss to FC Seoul, drawing with Sendai on Matchday 2 before seeing off the Thai side on Tuesday.
The first half looked destined to end scoreless after Ramses Bustos squandered a fine opportunity to give Buriram the lead 13 minutes before the break when his effort was comfortably saved after the Chilean had threatened the home side on the counterattack.
But, with three minutes remaining in the half, Lu Bofei’s left foot shot from just outside the penalty area rolled into the bottom left corner of Siwarak Tedsungnoen’s goal to give Jiangsu the lead.
Less than a minute later, Okuka’s side had doubled their lead as Sun rose to meet Ji Xiang’s cross from the left and head Jiangsu further in front.
The double-strike shell-shocked the Thais, who struggled in their attempts to find a way back into the game and Jiangsu could have increased their lead, with Anawin Jujeen forced to clear Hamdi Salihi’s header off the line with six minutes remaining.
And the match ended on an additional negative note for Buriram as Anawin picked up a second booking of the night with just a minute remaining as the Thais found themselves bottom of the Group E standings at the halfway point.
“We've learned a lot from this match,” said Buriram coach Attaphol Buspakom. “We will review it carefully and when we go back to play the home game we will try our best to gain the three points.
“I think the next game will be decisive to final qualification. Currently it seems that every team from the group has the chance to qualify.”
Photo: WSG