Gamba Osaka 1-1 Chonburi
Match Report
Lucas Leveller Flattens Chonburi
by www.the-afc.com
Wednesday 12th March 2008
Brazilian striker Lucas scored a last-gasp equaliser as Gamba Osaka eked out a 1-1 draw with Thailand's Chonburi FC in Group G of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday evening. Arthit Suntornphit looked to have given Chonburi a surprise win and all three points when he slotted home from close range in the 58th minute after an impressive run by Brazilian striker Ney Fabiano had torn the home defence apart.
But Lucas struck from close range deep into injury time to give Akira Nishino's team a share of the points after the Nabisco Cup holders had dominated but were unable to find a way past the Thai defence. Gamba striker Bare went close in the 13th minute when his header crashed against the crossbar and Japan international Yasuhito Endo saw his free-kick pushed around the post by Kosin Hathairattanakool six minutes later, who also denied Shinichi Terada just before the break.
The teams went in level at half time but, after several near misses at the other end by Gamba, Chonburi hit the Japanese on the break to stun the home support. Ney Fabiano tore down the right flank before cutting into the penalty area and past Hiroki Mizumoto before hitting a shot that was blocked by a despairing lunge from Hideo Hashimoto. However, the ball broke to the unmarked Arthit and he stroked the ball home with ease to stun the home support.
With a major shock on the cards, Gamba threw everything forward but, despite the onslaught, Chonburi managed to deny their more illustrious counterparts for more than 30 minutes. Thai national team goalkeeper Kosin outstanding between the posts, denying Lucas in the 65th minute and keeping out a pair of efforts from Bare in the final 10 minutes. But eventually the Japanese side found a way through to take a share of the points and spare their own blushes. The Chonburi defence was unable to properly clear a lofted ball into the penalty area and former FC Tokyo striker Lucas capitalised at the far post, sliding his shot home in the fourth minute of injury time to break the Thai side's hearts.
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