Chonburi 4-1 Eastern Athletic - Match Report: 2009

A report from www.the-afc.com on Chonburi's first AFC Cup match.

Ruthless Chonburi Break Eastern Promise 
Chonburi 4-1 Eastern Athletic
by www.the-afc.com
Tuesday 10th March 2009 

Thailand's Chonburi FC opened their AFC Cup campaign with an impressive 4-1 win over Hong Kong's Eastern Athletic at Supachalasai Stadium in Group G on Tuesday. Kraisorn Pancharoen sent the home side on their way in the opening minutes before an own goal from Eastern defender Yang Xu put Chonburi two ahead at the break.

Wong Chun-Yue gave the visitors hope as he cut the deficit at the start of the second half, but Pipob On-mo and Panuwat Jinta responded to wrap up the win for the home side. Vietnam's Hanoi ACB and Kedah, of Malaysia also share Group G. Chonburi, who had Thailand internationals Surat Sukha, Kosin Hathairattanakool, Natthaphong Samana and Arthit Sunthornphit in their ranks, started strongly as Pipob fired over in the opening stages.

But they were rewarded after just eight minutes as they opened the scoring as Eastern goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai failed to deal with Ekaphan Inthasen's cross and Kraisorn pounced to convert from close range. Roared on by a passionate home crowd Chonburi came close to a second midway through the first half as Kraisorn fired wide before Yapp denied defender Jetsadakorn Hemdaeng as the home side pressed for a second as the half progressed.

But the Eastern goalkeeper was unable to stop Chonburi doubling their lead as visiting defender Yang tried to clear when Kone Mohamed, a first half replacement for Ekaphan, sent the ball in the danger area. But the Eastern defender only managed to direct the ball on to the crossbar and Chonburi were gifted a two-goal half-time lead after the ball rebounded over the goal line.

Eastern responded after the break and were rewarded as Wong netted nine minutes into the second half to reduce the deficit. But just two minutes later Chonburi restored their two-goal cushion as Pipob beat Yapp. The goal seemed to deflate the visitors and Chonburi added a fourth with 14 minutes remaining as Panuwat rounded off a strong run with a well-executed finish.