AFC Cup Chonburi 4-0 PSMS Medan - Match Report: 2009

AFC Cup

Round of 16

Chonburi 4-0 PSMS Medan 

Rajamangala Stadium

Tuesday 23rd June 2009 

Match Report

by the-afc.com

Thailand's Chonburi FC advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup after Mohamed Kone's hat-trick proved the foundation of a 4-0 victory over PSMS Medan at Rajamangala Stadium. Chonburi took the lead in the 18th minute through Kone and the powerful striker notched his second in the 66th minute to effectively seal the win. Midfielder Ekaphan Inthasen added a third goal in the 85th minute before Kone completed his treble in the third minute of injury time in the last 16 encounter. 

The Group G winners showed just why they are currently in top spot in the Thai Premier League, controlling the game through crisp passing and while also proving technically superior. Medan set out their stall to play on the counter and Reswandi Sumaji was unlucky not to open the scoring after 13 minutes when his rising free-kick from 25 yards was tipped over by Chonburi goalkeeper Kosin Hathairattanakool. Kone then broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when he blasted home from close range and the striker almost netted a second three minutes later but PSMS goalkeeper Markus Harison Rihihina did well to keep him at bay. 

PSMS almost equalised in the 27th minute when forward Elie Aiboy burst through with just Kosin to beat but the Chonburi shotstopper pushed the close-range shot wide. The Thai side again threatened after the break when Ekaphan powered into space but his ball across the face of the goal was cleared. PSMS were awarded a free-kick just outside the box in the 53nd minute but Leonardo Martins Dinelli saw his drive blocked by Chonburi's defensive wall. 

Pipob On-mo then spurned a great opportunity to double Chonburi's lead but headed wide with an open goal at his mercy before Kosin tipped PSMS captain Esteban Tejeras powerful volley around the post in the 64th minute. Two minutes later, Chonburi finally put some daylight between themselves and the Indonesians as Kone squirmed through the PSMS defence and coolly slotted home. The third goal came five minutes from time as Ekaphan cut in from the left channel and found the back of the net and Kone notched his hat trick in the third minute of injury time when he rounded Markus and fired home. 

The game was also the last in a Chonburi shirt for Surat Sukha, who is departing for Australian A-League side Melbourne Victory and the midfielder departed in the 89th minute to a rousing reception from the home crowd.