Buriram United were narrowly denied a famous AFC Champions League win on Wednesday as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Cerezo Osaka at the Yanmar Stadium Nagai.
The Thai League 1 champions took the lead in the 11th minute when Ratthanakorn Maikami’s corner curled straight towards goal and Cerezo striker Yang Dong-hyeon – in a bid to head clear – could only help the ball into the back of his own net.
11' GOAL! 1-0 Buriram United
Ratthanakorn whips the corner to the near post and it appears to take a touch of a @crz_english player and the Thai side lead!#CRZvBRR #ACL2018 pic.twitter.com/v7OF1z6bK9
— FOX Sports LIVE! (@FSAsiaLive) March 14, 2018
However, Yang made amends five minutes after the hour mark when he climbed well to meet Yusuke Maruhashi’s cross from the left and send a powerful header into the bottom corner.
65' GOAL! 1-1 @crz_english
The home sides have looked better in this half and get their equalizer with powerful header from Donghyen!#CRZvBRR #ACL2018 pic.twitter.com/RL7OpdzZY5
— FOX Sports LIVE! (@FSAsiaLive) March 14, 2018
The visitors managed to reclaim the lead in the 71st minute through another set-piece; Ratthanakorn’s delivery to the near post was flicked on by Edgar Silva and Diogo made no mistake in nodding home from point-blank range.
71' GOAL! 2-1 Buriram United.
Another corner for Buriram. Another goal. This time it's Diogo who converts at the far post!#CRZvBRR #ACL2018 pic.twitter.com/6mTPGEOjZd
— FOX Sports LIVE! (@FSAsiaLive) March 14, 2018
But, with two minutes remaining, Kenyu Sugimoto came to Cerezo’s rescue as he showed great determination to get ahead of his marker at the far post and reach Hotaru Yamaguchi’s lofted ball with a firm header past Siwarak Tedsungnoen.
88' GOAL! 2-2 @crz_english
The home side are back level for the second time as Kenyu nods in the cross at the far post!#CRZvBRR #ACL2018 pic.twitter.com/KdsdgdhNCO
— FOX Sports LIVE! (@FSAsiaLive) March 14, 2018
Despite the draw, Buriram remain second in Group G courtesy of their superior head-to-head record with Cerezo, but are now three points behind leaders Guangzhou Evergrande.
FULL-TIME | Cerezo Osaka (JPN) 2-2 Buriram United (THA)@crz_official come from behind twice to snatch a point against Buriram United! #ACL2018 #CRZvBRR pic.twitter.com/tIn83pDbMb
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) March 14, 2018
CEREZO OSAKA: Kim Jin-hyeon, Riku Matsuda, Matej Jonjic, Tatsuya Yamashita, Yusuke Maruhashi, Kota Mizunuma (Mizuki Ando 87’), Souza, Hotaru Yamaguchi, Toshiyuki Takagi (Kazuya Yamamura 85’), Kenyu Sugimoto, Yang Dong-hyeon.
BURIRAM UNITED: Siwarak Tedsungnoen, Narubadin Weerawatnodom, Pansa Hemviboon, Andres Tunez, Yoo Jun-soo, Korrakod Wiriyaudomsiri, Pravinwat Boonyong, Ratthanakorn Maikami (Supachai Jaided 90+3’), Supachok Sarachat (Sasalak Haiprakhon 87’), Edgar Silva, Diogo.