Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Singapore: Pipob On-mo and Kotchaplayuk Noppanon scored in either half as Thai Premier League runners-up Chonburi secured a home tie in the last 16 of the AFC Cup after edging out Home United 2-1 on Tuesday to top Group G ahead of the Singapore Cup winners.
Pipob struck after four minutes and despite second-placed Home United improving as the contest progressed, substitute Kotchaplayuk settled the tie with 16 minutes remaining as AFC Champions League play-off losers Chonburi completed an unbeaten Group Stage campaign.
Chonburi will now entertain the runner-up from Group E in the Round of 16, while Home United face a trip to the Middle East in a fortnight’s time after Indra Sahdan Daud’s 85th minute strike arrived too late for the Singaporeans.
Despite the win, Chonburi coach Withaya Laohakul still felt that there was room for improvement by his side.
“I’m not really that satisfied with our performance tonight. It seemed that players were more afraid not to lose because we had not been able to win an away win in this competition before tonight,” said Withaya.
“However, I am very happy with how our young players did and I feel that the future is very bright for them. They may still be lacking in experience and decision-making skills but I believe that if they can show the right attitude they can challenge our more senior players for a place on the first team.”
With home advantage in the last 16 at stake for the winner, Pipob handed the visitors the ideal start as the Chonburi captain took advantage of an untimely slip in the Home United defence to meet a right wing cross at the near post and guide a strike across the face of goal with goalkeeper Lionel Lewis only able to help the ball on its way into the back of the net.
Chonburi continued to dominate the opening exchanges and were unlucky not to be two goals ahead just three minutes later as Kengne Ludovick’s header cannoned off the face of the Home United crossbar.
And after a last-ditch goal-line clearance from Rosman Sulaiman denied Therdsak Chaiman after 28 minutes, Home United coach introduced striker Frederic Mendy before half-time in an attempt to turn the game in favour of the home side.
Home United did finish the second half strongly and Mendy wasted a glorious chance eight minutes before the break before Pipob had a goal ruled out for offside just before half-time.
The home side came out strong at the start of the second half and almost equalised in spectacular style as Franklin Clovis Anzite’s spectacular acrobatic overhead kick from inside the area was pushed away by an equally eye-catching save from Chonburi goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool.
Sulaiman then again came to Home United’s rescue as the defender produced another goal-line clearance to deny Chonburi substitute Kotchaplayuk.
But with 16 minutes remaining Kotchaplayuk raced onto Therdsak’s slide rule pass, and after taking two touches to break into the Home United penalty area, lifted the ball over advancing goalkeeper Lewis.
With five minutes remaining Anzite laid the ball off to Indra Sahdan on the edge of the Chonburi penalty area following a swift break from the home side and the substitute swept home from the edge of the area to claim a consolation for Home United.
Home United now face a daunting trip to the Middle East later this month, a journey that their Korean coach Lee Lim-saeng would have preferred to have avoided.
“It will be difficult for us to progress because we have to travel to the Middle East to play in the Round of 16,” said Lee.
“We have played better on our home ground this year and fatigue will also be a factor for us because it is a long trip and we also have to play games in the S-League and the Singapore Cup in the next few weeks. Now I have to figure out the best way that we can cope with all of these games.
“I congratulate Chonburi but I thought that our players worked very hard tonight and there is no way I can blame them for the result. I take full responsibility for it.”