AFC Cup 2012 Schedule [6 Mar @ 5:33am]

You can find the full AFC Cup 2012 schedule here:

AFC Cup 2012 Schedule 

AFC Cup 2012 - Previews & News [6 Mar @ 5:34am]

YANGON UNITED v CHONBURI : MATCH PREVIEW
6/3/12
by www.the-afc.com
Coach Eric Williams has stressed the importance of a strong home record as Myanmar champions Yangon United prepare for Wednesday's AFC Cup debut against AFC Champions League play-off losers Chonburi from Thailand.

With club sides from Myanmar taking part in the competition for the first time, Yangon head into the game after extending their unbeaten streak to five games after sharing a 2-2 draw with 2010 AFC President's Cup winners Yadanarbon on Saturday.

"We have prepared very well to ensure we have a good start in the Group Stage," said Williams.

"I have emphasised the importance of winning our home games because we are not sure about the away games, but we can control what happens in the home games."

Thai Premier League runners-up Chonburi, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from their AFC Champions League play-off defeat by Korea Republic's Pohang Steelers by making a positive start to their Group G campaign.

Withaya Laohakul's side produced a spirited display in Korea last month, but suffered a 2-0 defeat by the 2009 AFC Champions League winners.

"This is our first game, but we are confident we can win the competition this year," said Withaya.

"I have seen one of Yangon's games on DVD when they played a friendly against BEC Tero from Thailand and I know that they are a good team."

AFC CUP : GROUP G PREVIEW
20/3/12
by www.the-afc.com
Chonburi coach Withaya Laohakul is sweating on the fitness of two of his players for his side’s AFC Cup encounter with Singapore’s Home United on Wednesday.

The Thai side are looking to get their Group G campaign on track after a fortunate draw in their opening match against newcomers Yangon United two weeks ago. Last year’s AFC Cup quarter-finalists needed a stoppage-time equaliser by Sukree Etae to rescue a 1-1 draw with the Myanmar league champions. 

But preparations for the visit of Home, who beat Hong Kong side Citizen 3-1 in their opener, have not gone well with central defender Pipob on-Mo hospitalised with illness and forward Puttinan Wannasri nursing an ankle injury.

“I may be without two of my key players tomorrow in central defence and attack and that is a big concern because Home United are a very good counter-attacking team and have two very skilful wingers,” said Witthaya. 

“Right now, Puttinan is ill with suspected food poisoning and we would miss his presence because he is a good leader and very good in the air. Pipob has an injured right ankle and may only be available as a substitute. If he is not playing, then we will have a problem with our attack.”

Despite the possible absence of the pair, Witthaya is expecting an improved performance by his team after the draw in Yangon.

“I feel that we must improve in tomorrow’s game. I thought that we played to a very low standard in our last match and I hope that we can play better tomorrow.” 

Home United lead the group after their victory over Citizen and coach Lee Lim-saeng is expecting his side to maintain their position at the top.

“I just want the players to show what we can do,” said the Korean. “Hopefully we get the confidence and we play together as a unit so that we can get a good result.

“If we play our normal game, I am confident about our chances of getting a good result.”

Full story : http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-cup/936-afc-cup-2012/38428-afc-cup-md-2-group-g-preview

AFC CUP : GROUP G PREVIEW
3/4/12
by www.the-afc.com 
Chonburi coach Withaya Laohakul has expressed confidence that his side can shake of their injury problems and consolidate their position at the top of AFC Cup Group G with a victory over Hong Kong's Citizen on Tuesday.

The unbeaten Thai club moved a point clear of Home United and Citizen after a goal by Ludovick Kengne earned a 1-0 win over Singapore Cup holders Home United two weeks ago.

But ahead of their clash with the Hong Kong club, Withaya voiced some concerns about his club's injury problems particularly those that have afflicted full-backs Anucha Kitpongsri and Natthaphong Samana, who are both doubtful for the match.

"We are a bit concerned that we have some key injuries with our starters, especially on both flanks," said the former Thailand international midfielder.

"However, we are still confident with what we will have on the field and also the work that the players have been putting in towards finishing our chances."

Having lost 3-1 at Home United in their opening game, Citizen managed to secure their first ever AFC Cup win two weeks ago with a 2-1 victory over Myanmar's Yangon United thanks to Festus Baise's stoppage-time winner.

"We are prepared and ready but we know that Chonburi are the best team in our group," said coach Chu Kwok Kuen.

"However, we are going to play our best to gain the three points, although I would be happy with at least one point."

Full story : http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-cup/936-afc-cup-2012/38569-afc-cup-md-3-group-g-preview

CITIZEN v CHONBURI : MATCH PREVIEW
11/4/12
by www.the-afc.com
Coach Withaya Laohakul has boldly claimed Chonburi will achieve more than Thailand's AFC Champions League representatives Buriram United this season ahead of Wednesday's meeting with Hong Kong's Citizen in the AFC Cup.

Chonburi missed out on a place in the AFC Champions League this season alongside Thai treble winners Buriram after losing to Korea Republic's Pohang Steelers in the play-offs, but have made an unbeaten start in Group G of the AFC Cup after beating Citizen 2-0 at home last week.

And a win at Mong Kok Stadium, coupled with three points for Home United against Myanmar's Yangon United in Singapore, would see Chonburi secure a place in the Round of 16 with two games to spare.

"We feel we are better than Buriram as they depend on individual skill, while we have better teamwork and we will do better than them this season," said Withaya.

"Our local league has recently started and we are getting better and better. We are 80% ready for the match and we are looking to improve further. We are aiming to top the group so it makes it easier for us to concentrate on the local league as a win will guarantee we advance to the Round of 16. It is important match for us and we are prepared.

"Citizen have a very good counterattack, but our four defenders are well prepared. I encourage both teams to play as attacking as last game Citizen played very defensively, but if Citizen open up it will be a good game."

Chonburi, who beat Esan United 5-1 on Saturday to maintain their unbeaten start to the new Thai Premier League season, will again be without injured midfielder Anucha Kitpongsri against Citizen.

Citizen, meanwhile, begin a key run of back-to-back home games in the AFC Cup against Chonburi and coach Chu Kwok Kuen is confident the Hong Kong Senior Shield winners can build on last week's defeat, which saw the home side score twice in the second half.

"We have had good preparations and we will use the same formation and tactics as we did last week, but we will try and add some more attacking elements. We targeted one point from the last game, but this game we are targeting three points," he said.

"Chonburi are a very good team and have good speed and a good passing game. We believe they are the best team in the group and we learnt a lot in the last match. Even though we lost, we learnt a lot and hopefully we can reverse the result."

Full story : http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-cup/936-afc-cup-2012/38735-afc-cup-md4-group-g-preview

CHONBURI v YANGON UTD : GROUP G PREVIEW
23/4/12
by www.the-afc.com
Having missed a glorious opportunity to secure their place in the knockout stage of the AFC Cup in their last game, Thai Premier League side Chonburi will be looking to get the job done when they host Myanmar's Yangon United on Tuesday.

The Group G leaders appeared to have their spot in the last 16 in the bag when Sukree Etae scored two minutes from time to hand Chonburi a 3-1 lead against Citizen in Hong Kong two weeks ago, but the hosts scored twice in stoppage-time to earn a dramatic 3-3 draw which put the Thai club's celebrations on ice.

Chonburi still lead the group with eight points, one more than second-placed Home United of Singapore and four ahead of Citizen with two games remaining, and a victory against last-placed Yangon would see them advance to the round of 16 for the third time in four years.

The Thai side, though, have injury concerns ahead of the game with defender Anucha Kitpongsri and midfielders Adul Lahso and Natthaphong Samana all doubtful.

"We now have quite a few injuries and we will need to check whether Anucha, Adul or Natthaphong can play," said Chonburi coach Withaya Laohakul, who saw his side draw 1-1 draw in Myanmar in March thanks to Sukree's stoppage-time equaliser.

"I feel that we need to win our home games to finish top of the group but we will be trying to play our best without any pressure. I do not think that we need to play at 100% to win our games. We have a good team and if we could even play at 70%, we should be able to win."

Debutants Yangon United have only two points from four games and would need other results to go their way to have any chance of reaching the last 16.

"We are under no pressure for the game," said Australian coach Eric Williams. "While Chonburi are competing in the AFC Cup for the third time, this is our first year in the competition so we do not have high expectations.

"The pressure is on Chonburi because they need to win to top the group. However, we will play to the best of our ability and focus on defending and counter-attacking well."

Full story : http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-cup/936-afc-cup-2012/38892-afc-cup-md5-group-g-preview

HOME UTD v CHONBURI : GROUP G PREVIEW
7/5/12
by www.the-afc.com
Home United of Singapore and Chonburi of Thailand may have already secured their places in the last 16 of the AFC Cup but the stakes are still high for their final Group G clash at the Bishan Stadium on Tuesday.

Chonburi hold a one-point lead after their 1-0 home win over Yangon United of Myanmar two weeks ago, however, a victory for the Singapore Cup holders at home would Home United leapfrog the Thai club into top spot, which would mean a home tie in the Round of 16.

Second place in the group would mean a long journey to the Middle East to face the winners of Group E – either Al Shorta of Syria, Al Zawra’a of Iraq or Safa of Lebanon – in a one-off knockout match.

“Tomorrow’s game is crucial as we want to play at home in Singapore in the Round of 16 and not have to travel to the Middle East to play,” said Home United’s Korean coach Lee Lim-saeng

“We know about the quality of the teams from the Middle East and it will not be easy to beat them at their home grounds. That is why it is so important for us to get a win tomorrow.”

Lee will be looking for an improvement by his side over their performance at Chonburi in March, when they lost 1-0.

“When we played away at Chonburi, our players seemed nervous especially playing in front of their fans. But I think that they will play with more confidence tomorrow. We are more familiar with our ground and I feel we can get a good result on our pitch,” he added.

“We were unable to play in our preferred style against Chonburi in the first match because they played better than us but we will try to impose our game tomorrow. It is an important game and we cannot give up.”

While Chonburi are unbeaten in the AFC Cup this year, they have not been at their best on their travels, drawing their matches in Myanmar against Yangon United and in Hong Kong against Citizen.

“We have had problems in our recent away games that we need to improve on,” said coach Withaya Laohakul. “We have not played well in those games but tomorrow we will have to try and play at our best.

“We have a couple of players, Therdsak (Chaiman) and Ludo (Kengne Ludovick) who have played in Singapore before and can provide us with the benefit of their experience. Therdsak is very experienced and I believe he can control tomorrow’s game.

“We will also have (left-back) Anucha Kitpongsri, our best player on the left, available again after his ankle injury.

“We will try our best because we have set a high target for our club. We beat the eventual champions (Nasaf) last year but this year, we aim to reach the final.”

Full story : http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-cup/936-afc-cup-2012/39058-afc-cup-md6-group-g-preview

WITTHAYA WAITS ON KEY PAIR
21/5/12
by www.the-afc.com
Chonburi coach Withaya Laohakul is sweating on the fitness of defender Chonlatit Jantakam and French midfielder Geoffrey Doumeng as the Thai Premier League side prepare to entertain Iraq's Al Zawra'a in the last 16 of the AFC Cup on Tuesday.

Both played central roles as Thai Premier League runners-up Chonburi won Group G with an unbeaten record ahead of Singapore's Home United after losing to Korea Republic's Pohang Steelers in the AFC Champions League play-offs.

But the pair are doubtful as Chonburi look to maintain Thai interest in continental competition this season after treble winners Buriram United missed out on a place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League.

"Chonburi still have some problems with injured player again and again, and I am not sure if Chonlatit and Doumeng can be on starting list tomorrow," said Withaya, who has seen his side lose just once in their last 14 outings in all competitions after beating Wuachon United 1-0 last Sunday.

Having featured in the Group Stage of the AFC Champions League in 2008, Chonburi have progressed to the quarter-finals of the AFC on their last two appearances in 2009 and 2011.

"This knockout game is very important for us and we will play our good game for our fans,' added Withaya, who saw his side lose on penalties to eventual champions Nasaf from Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals last year.

"We just saw an Al Zawra'a team video and we know that they have some great players in the front line."

Iraq's Al Zawra'a are aiming to reach the last eight of the AFC Cup for the first time after losing to domestic rivals Arbil in 2009 following two appearances in the Group Stage of the AFC Champions League.

This time around, Al Zawra'a finished second behind Syria's Al Shorta in Group E after scoring 12 goals to win four of their six games.

"This is a long away trip and it is going to be very difficult. The weather in Thailand is also going to be a problem," said Al Zawra'a coach Radhi Shnaishel.

"We already know that Chonburi is a good team in this tournament, they have a lot of national team players and very can produce strong performances.

"The knockout stage is very difficult for our team, however, we have no choice and we will try our best."

Full story : http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-cup/936-afc-cup-2012/39188-chonburi-v-al-zawraa-preview

Yangon Utd 1-1 Chonburi : Match Report [13 Mar @ 3:32pm]

Yangon Utd 1-1 Chonburi
Wednesday 7th March, 2012 




Substitute Sukree Etae struck in the third minute of stoppage time as Thai Premier League runners-up Chonburi denied Myanmar champions Yangon United a historic AFC Cup debut as Wednesday's Group G opener finished 1-1 at the Youth Training Centre.

With Myanmar club's taking part in the tournament for the first time following Yadanarbon's 2010 AFC President's Cup success, Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic opened the scoring for Yangon four minutes before half-time.

But deep into stoppage time, after coming on just before the hour mark, Sukree equalised for AFC Champions League play-off losers Chonburi - who lost to Korea Republic's Pohang Steelers 2-0 last month.

Full story: http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-cup/936-afc-cup-2012/38224-yangon-united-v-chonburi

Chonburi 1-0 Home Utd : Match Report [22 Mar @ 6:13am]

Chonburi 1-0 Home Utd
Wednesday 21st March, 2012





Ex-Home United striker Kengne Ludovick came back to haunt his former side as the Cameroonian scored the only goal in Chonburi’s 1-0 win over the Singapore club in the AFC Cup on Wednesday.

Ludivick headed in the winner in the second half as the Thai side moved to the top of Group G with four points, one ahead of Home United and Hong Kong's Citizen, who beat Yangon United 2-1 in the group’s other game of the night.

The hosts made much of the running and took the lead in the 68th minute when Ludovick rose to meet a free-kick taken by Suree Sukha and headed the ball into the corner of the net.

Home United’s attacking triumvirate of Frenchman Frederick Mendy, Japanese Shotaro Ihata and China-born Qiu Li were kept in check throughout by the Chonburi defence.

The visitors’ best opportunity fell to Ihata seven minutes from time but the Japanese forward was unable to put the ball past goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool in a goalmouth scramble.

The result was a big disappointment for Home United coach Lee Lim-saeng, who saw his side drop their first points after a 3-1 win over Hong Kong side Citizen in their opening match 

“It’s a shame because I thought that the game was quite balanced and that both sides deserved a point,” said the Korean.

“We did our best and I must thank my players for their effort. But I thought that we conceded the goal too easily because of a silly mistake in our defence.  We will have to work hard on our defending in training so hopefully we don’t concede like that again in our next game.

“We will try not to let this result get our confidence down. Right now, I am not smiling but hopefully, we will get a good result in our next game so that I am smiling again.”

Full story : http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-cup/936-afc-cup-2012/38450-chonburi-fc-vs-home-united

Chonburi 2-0 Citizen : Match Report [4 Apr @ 2:35am]

Chonburi 2-0 Citizen
Tuesday 3rd April, 2012





Chonburi opened up a three-point lead at the top of Group G in the AFC Cup after second-half goals by Therdsak Chaiman and Fode Diakite gave the Thai Premier League side a 2-0 victory over Hong Kong side Citizen on Tuesday.

Therdsak, who came on as a half-time substitute, converted a penalty three minutes into the second half and Diakite headed home on the hour mark to give the Thai club a fully deserved victory at the Chonburi Stadium.

The hosts dominated the contest, which was played on a slick pitch which had been saturated by an earlier rain storm, and they were unlucky not to go into the half-time break with the lead after squandering a number of opportunities in the first half including one effort that came back off the woodwork.

Therdsak came on at the interval to replace Ludovick Kengne and the change paid almost immediate dividends when Chonburi were awarded a penalty shortly after the restart for a handball by a Citizen defender. The former Thailand international playmaker, who was MVP in the inaugural AFC Champions League, stepped up and fired the ball home to put the Thai club a goal up.

Diakite then sealed the win in the 60^th minute when Natthapong Samana floated in a delightful cross that the Ivorian defender met with a thumping header into the back of the net.

Despite the win, Chonburi coach Withaya Laohakul was critical of what he felt was a lacklustre performance by his side.

"I actually thought it was just a fair performance by our team and our goals felt like a bonus tonight," he said.

"We scored from a penalty and a set piece but it was still not a good performance for us. We will look for our players to improve and I hope that we can play with a better style when we take on Citizen again next week."

Citizen coach Chu Kwok Kuen felt that the wet conditions hampered his side's performance.

"We did well in the first half because we can play well with a defensive style, but because of the rain and the wet pitch, we misplaced several of our passes," said Chu.

"After we conceded the penalty, our performance went down and we finally lost the game. Hopefully, we will do better when we play against them at home next week."

Full story : http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-cup/936-afc-cup-2012/38590-chonburi-2-0-citizen 

Citizen 3-3 Chonburi : Match Report [11 Apr @ 3:24pm]

Citizen 3-3 Chonburi
Wednesday 11th April, 2012





 

Hong Kong's Citizen scored twice in stoppage time through Chiu Chun Kit and Sham Kwok Fai to deny Thailand's Chonburi a place in the last 16 of the AFC Cup as Wednesday's Group G encounter ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw at Mong Kok Stadium.

Chonburi appeared to have posted a third win of the campaign which would have secured qualification from Group G with two games remaining after goals from Natthaphong Samana and second-half substitutes Pipob On-mo and Sukree Etae had cancelled out Yuto Nakamura's eighth-minute opener for Citizen.

But after Chiu headed home in the first minute of added time, Sham bundled home a corner with the last kick of the game to leave table-topping Chonburi a point clear of Singapore's Home United, with third-placed Citizen a further three points off the pace.

"It was a great effort from the players. We concentrated on defending in the first half because Chonburi are very strong. In the second half we focused on attacking, but they took advantage of our mistakes and took a 3-1 lead. But we never gave up and it was a great effort," said Citizen coach Chu Kwok Kuen.

"We scored in added time and at that moment we were not thinking about a draw or winning, we just wanted to make the score more respectable. It is an extra bonus that we can get a tie. A 3-2 defeat is not a bad defeat, but a 3-3 draw is an extra bonus for us."

Chonburi took the game to Citizen from the first whistle, but after eight minutes the home side took the lead against the run of play as the visiting defence were caught square just inside their own half and Nakamura raced clear before coolly lifting the ball over exposed goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool from just inside the area.

The lead, though, lasted just 12 minutes as Chonburi were rewarded for their early dominance. Natthaphong ghosted in at the back post to hook a low cross from French midfielder Geoffrey Doumeng back across the face of goal and into the net with goalkeeper Tse Tak Him rooted to the spot.

Chonburi continued to dominate but lacked a cutting edge up front, while Citizen posed a constant counterattacking threat and came close to regaining the lead after 32 minutes as Sham Kwok Keung shot narrowly wide following a patient build-up from the home side.

Citizen goalkeeper Tse almost handed Chonburi the lead two minutes before the break after failing to hold a rasping drive from Cote d'Ivoire defender Fode Diakite, but the custodian made amends with a smart reflex save to deny Ludovick Kengne as the Cameroonian striker pounced on the loose ball inside the six-yard area.

Opposing captains Therdsak Chaiman and Festus Baise both came close to a breakthrough in a cagey start to the second half with both sides struggling for quality possession.

But with 21 minutes remaining Chonburi completed the turnaround as Pipob's towering header from Therdsak's inviting right wing delivery gave Tse no chance.

And with two minutes remaining, Sukree found space on the right side of the Citizen penalty area with the home side pushing forward and squeezed his low shot between Tse and the upright.

Chiu's glancing header in the first minute of stoppage-time appeared to have handed Citizen a late consolation but the home side completed the comeback in dramatic fashion as Sham turned home Wong Yiu Fu's corner following a melee inside the Chonburi six-yard area.

"I am not satisfied with the performance of the defenders. We always have the same problem in away games. This match was the opportunity to overcome this problem, but we failed. We have the same problem with away games in the local league," said Chonburi coach Withaya Laohakul.

"I have a lot of respect for Citizen's spirit. Even though they were 3-1 down, they came back. They were focused, concentrated and determined and fought very bravely to come back.

"We still are aiming for first place in the group. A win in this match would have made it comfortable for us, but we now still have to fight."

Full story : http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-cup/936-afc-cup-2012/38752-citizen-v-chonburi 

Chonburi 1-0 Yangon Utd : Match Report [25 Apr @ 2:13am]

Chonburi 1-0 Yangon Utd
Tuesday 24th April, 2012





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 62^nd 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.

Full story : http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-cup/936-afc-cup-2012/38913-chonburi-1-0-yangon-united

Home Utd 1-2 Chonburi : Match Report [9 May @ 2:16am]

Home Utd 1-2 Chonburi
Tuesday 8th May, 2012





 

Pipob On-mo and Kotchaplayuk Noppanon scored in either half as Thai Premier League runners-up Chonburi secured a home tie in the last 16 of the AFC Cup after edging out Home United 2-1 on Tuesday to top Group G ahead of the Singapore Cup winners.

Pipob struck after four minutes and despite second-placed Home United improving as the contest progressed, substitute Kotchaplayuk settled the tie with 16 minutes remaining as AFC Champions League play-off losers Chonburi completed an unbeaten Group Stage campaign.

Chonburi will now entertain the runner-up from Group E in the Round of 16, while Home United face a trip to the Middle East in a fortnight’s time after Indra Sahdan Daud’s 85th minute strike arrived too late for the Singaporeans.

Despite the win, Chonburi coach Withaya Laohakul still felt that there was room for improvement by his side.

“I’m not really that satisfied with our performance tonight. It seemed that players were more afraid not to lose because we had not been able to win an away win in this competition before tonight,” said Withaya.

“However, I am very happy with how our young players did and I feel that the future is very bright for them. They may still be lacking in experience and decision-making skills but I believe that if they can show the right attitude they can challenge our more senior players for a place on the first team.”

With home advantage in the last 16 at stake for the winner, Pipob handed the visitors the ideal start as the Chonburi captain took advantage of an untimely slip in the Home United defence to meet a right wing cross at the near post and guide a strike across the face of goal with goalkeeper Lionel Lewis only able to help the ball on its way into the back of the net.

Chonburi continued to dominate the opening exchanges and were unlucky not to be two goals ahead just three minutes later as Kengne Ludovick’s header cannoned off the face of the Home United crossbar.

And after a last-ditch goal-line clearance from Rosman Sulaiman denied Therdsak Chaiman after 28 minutes, Home United coach introduced striker Frederic Mendy before half-time in an attempt to turn the game in favour of the home side.

Home United did finish the second half strongly and Mendy wasted a glorious chance eight minutes before the break before Pipob had a goal ruled out for offside just before half-time.

The home side came out strong at the start of the second half and almost equalised in spectacular style as Franklin Clovis Anzite’s spectacular acrobatic overhead kick from inside the area was pushed away by an equally eye-catching save from Chonburi goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool.

Sulaiman then again came to Home United’s rescue as the defender produced another goal-line clearance to deny Chonburi substitute Kotchaplayuk.

But with 16 minutes remaining Kotchaplayuk raced onto Therdsak’s slide rule pass, and after taking two touches to break into the Home United penalty area, lifted the ball over advancing goalkeeper Lewis.

With five minutes remaining Anzite laid the ball off to Indra Sahdan on the edge of the Chonburi penalty area following a swift break from the home side and the substitute swept home from the edge of the area to claim a consolation for Home United.

Home United now face a daunting trip to the Middle East later this month, a journey that their Korean coach Lee Lim-saeng would have preferred to have avoided.

“It will be difficult for us to progress because we have to travel to the Middle East to play in the Round of 16,” said Lee.

“We have played better on our home ground this year and fatigue will also be a factor for us because it is a long trip and we also have to play games in the S-League and the Singapore Cup in the next few weeks. Now I have to figure out the best way that we can cope with all of these games.

“I congratulate Chonburi but I thought that our players worked very hard tonight and there is no way I can blame them for the result. I take full responsibility for it.”

Full story : http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-cup/936-afc-cup-2012/39076-home-united-1-2-chonburi 

Chonburi 1-0 Al Zawra'a : Match Report [23 May @ 4:09am]

Chonburi 1-0 Al-Zawra'a
Tuesday 22nd May, 2012





Thailand’s Chonburi became the first side to qualify for the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup as an early strike from captain Pipob On-mo proved the difference against Iraq’s Al Zawra’a in Tuesday’s last 16 tie.

Pipob turned home Therdsak Chaiman’s cross after just eight minutes for his third goal of the campaign as Group G winners Chonburi, who featured in the Group Stage of the AFC Champions League in 2008, qualified for the last eight of the AFC Cup for the third time in four years having previously progressed in both 2009 and 2011.

Group E runners-up Al Zawra'a were aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the first time, but failed to produce a clear-cut chance and had goalkeeper Ahmed Ali Jenur to thank for keeping the visitors in the contest.

“We missed many chances, I can’t believe my boys made a lot of mistakes tonight,” said Chonburi coach Withaya Laohakul, who saw his side lose to Korea Republic’s Pohang Steelers in the AFC Champions League qualifiers earlier this year.

“Of course I am happy with our game, but if you ask my about the performance, I think we should play much better than this.

“Al Zawra’a is a great team, I think they are best team in Middle East zone. Hopefully we can meet a good team again in the next round.”

Chonburi took the game to Al Zawra’a from the first whistle and were rewarded after just eight minutes as Therdsak found space on the right and crossed for the on-rushing Pipob to give goalkeeper Jenur no chance at his near post with a first time finish from the edge of the six-yard area.

Al Zawra’a settled into the contest as the half progressed but the visitors failed to create a clear-cut chance, although Chonburi were unable to convert their continued dominance into a second goal.

But in first half stoppage time Jenur had to be at his best to keep the visitors within touching distance at the break as the Al Zawra’a goalkeeper produced a superb save to push away a towering header from Fode Diakite as the Ivorian defender rose to meet Therdsak’s rght-wing corner.

Shortly after replacing Therdsak, Nurul Sriyankem went close for Chonburi with 15 minutes remaining but Jenur again came to Al Zawra’a’s rescue following a cagey start to the second half. 
 
With the clock ticking down Al Zawra’a were unable to find a way back into the contest and Chonburi's lead was never under-threat in the closing stages.

“There is nothing much to talk about, but I have to say congratulations to Chonburi. They played well and scored with their first chance,” said Al Zawra'a coach Radhi Shnaishel.

“We had some injured players and we were tired after a long trip to Thailand, but Chonburi are a good team and they deserve to win.

“Al Zawra’a had a lot of chances, but we made a lot of mistakes.”

Full story : http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-cup/936-afc-cup-2012/39198-chonburi-1-al-zawraa-0