AFC Cup
Group G
Chonburi 1-0 Yangon Utd
Chonburi Stadium
Attendance: 5,148
Tuesday 24th April, 2012
Match Report
by the-afc.com
Therdsak Chaiman fired home a superb winner as Thai side Chonburi confirmed their place in the knockout rounds of the AFC Cup for the third time in four seasons after edging Yangon United of Myanmar 1-0 in a feisty encounter on Tuesday.
The inaugural AFC Champions League MVP rifled a shot into the top corner of the net just after the hour mark at the Chonburi Stadium to secure a deserved victory for the home side, who dominated the match but squandered a number of chances.
Yangon United adopted a physical approach and had few opportunities as they remained bottom of Group G with two points from five games. Chonburi stayed top of the group with 11 points, one ahead of second-placed Home United of Singapore, who beat Hong Kong side Citizen 2-1 in the night's other group game to advance alongside Chonburi into the last 16.
The top two teams will meet in Singapore in a fortnight's time to decide the top spot in the group.
Yangon threatened early on with David Htan making a strong run down the left flank before he centred the ball into a dangerous position in the Chonburi box where goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool dived low to gather.
But it was a rare foray for the visitors who spent much of the game camped in their own half as Chonburi piled on the pressure. Ludovick Kengne and Kroekrit Thawikan were both off target with free headers in the box while Therdsak went close on the half-hour mark when he curled a free-kick from 25 metres just wide of the left post.
The hosts intensified their attacks after the interval with Kazuto Kushida firing just over the crossbar from 30 metres, substitute Pipob On-Mo shooting wide when he was sent clear by Therdsak's deft pass and Geoffrey Doumeng hitting the base of the post with a long-range volley.
But the home side's pressure finally told in the 62nd minute when Pipob slipped a through pass to Therdsak who fired a superb shot into the top right corner of the Yangon net which gave goalkeeper Naing Zayar Tun no chance.
Nurul Sriyankem should have added a second two minutes from time when he went clear on goal after defender Aung Thaik had slipped and lost possession. But the striker drove his effort against the base of the post as yet another Chonburi chance went begging.
Chonburi coach Withaya Laohakul was pleased with the result but lamented his team's profligate finishing.
"Of course, many of our players did not take their opportunities and we were too extravagant in front of goal. They should have done better, especially Nurul Sriyankem at the end, although he was just trying do his best but simply shot at the post," said the Chonburi boss.
"But this is football and whether it is five-goal or a one-goal win, we still have three points."
Yangon United coach Eric Williams was left to rue his side's third defeat in five games although he lauded the spirit of his side.
"Of course this result means that we cannot advance in this competition but we have demonstrated that we can battle hard and create difficulties for other teams," said the Australian
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