It’s top against bottom in Group E as Muangthong United look to book their spot in the Round of 16 of the Asian Champions League when they host a struggling Brisbane Roar. Catch all the live scores, highlights and action on The Roar from 10:30pm (AEST).
Sitting two points clear at the top of the group, a win tonight for Muangthong would send them into the next stage of the Champions League with a game to spare.
The defending Thai League T1 champions, Muangthong have won four of the last eight domestic titles, finishing runner-up in two others.
Despite their record, United wasn’t given much of a chance at this year’s Champions League. Four games later though and they’re two points clear at the top of their group and looking like a real title contender.
They are the only undefeated side left in Group E, and one of just five in the 32-team competition.
Despite just one win from four games and a goal difference of two for and 10 against that makes for ugly reading, the Roar are still just two points out of the top two and progression to the next round.
It’s been a tight battle in Group E for spots, allowing Brisbane to still be well and truly in the hunt, but will need wins to avoid leaning on their goal difference of -8, the only side in the group to be in the negatives.
Brisbane is fresh off a penalty shootout thriller against the Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday, sneaking into the A-League semi-finals in what has been a strong domestic season for them.
The last time these two met was earlier in the campaign ended in a gritty goalless draw in Brisbane.
Prediction
A fired up Muangthong side who are dominating the Thai League and Champions League alike will be a tough prospect for the Roar, especially away from home.
Brisbane will have plenty of confidence from their elimination final win just five days ago though and the fact they’re still in the fight for a Round of 16 spot.
The home side should get the job done, but Brisbane should put up the fight that’s been missing from their 2017 campaign so far.
Muangthong to win 2-1
Bfc
Guest
Pepper turns the ball over again, and in our third (!)...Muanthong score their third. If Pepper is still contracted, then it is a waste of money on this evidence. His passing out of defence makes me yearn for a players like Brattan. Arana did not start, but did little when he came on...two MFs who are not producing enough to promote the cause, yet Broich is departing. Youngsters tried hard and will benefit from 'the run'..Crestani still making too many mistakes to be a starting CB, and the players also need to learn to shield the ball better from the 'front position' (something Broich does better than just about anyone in the HAL...).
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME Not a great night for the Roar who slip to yet another Asian Champions League loss, but on the other side of the park, Muangthong confirm their booking into the Round of 16, a huge achievement for the Thai champions. It was a fairly tight affair for most of the first half, with just the one Xisco goal separating them at the break, but the home side dominated possession in the second stanza. Just when it looked like they had thrown away their chances leading into the final stages of the game, they were rewarded with two quick fire goals in the final few minutes to bump that scoreline up. Muangthong – 3 Brisbane – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +1 Brisbane will be on damage control for the final minutes of this contest as Muangthong cruise down the right wing in search of a fourth. Muangthong – 3 Brisbane – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +2 minutes of stoppage time. Muangthong – 3 Brisbane – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
89' GOAL MUANGTHONG!!! And just like that the difference is three!! A fantastic low cross with a lot of pace and beautiful positioning by Perapat and he finds the sliding legs of Teerasil who throws his whole body at it on the far post, deflecting it into the back of the net to add to the pain for Brisbane. Muangthong – 3 Brisbane – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
88' YELLOW CARD Another card!! They're coming thick and fast now as Tristan Do gets his name in the book for time wasting as well, taking his time to play the throw in. Muangthong – 2 Brisbane – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
87' SUBSTITUTION Muangthong with their third alteration, bringing on Suphan in favour of Naoaki. Muangthong – 2 Brisbane – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
86' YELLOW CARD Another card, this time for Ho Lee who has been pinned for timewasting, looking to run the clock down after the Pepper foul and card. Muangthong – 2 Brisbane – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
85' YELLOW CARD Jacob Pepper is shown the banana late in the game for a pretty average effort. He's struggled tonight Pepper and that could be some frustration coming out. Muangthong – 2 Brisbane – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
83' GOAL MUANGTHONG!!! What a goal, what a piece of individual brilliance from Chanathip. From up on halfway, he turns nothing into something by using his pace and footwork to streak through the last line of defence. He came to Bilic and a one on one with the keeper with all the time in the world. He could have taken the shot around Bilic, but he takes him on, running it right up to the young keeper before feeding his footwork and dancing around him, walking the ball over the line. Fantastic. Muangthong – 2 Brisbane – 0
Bfc
Guest
Another clanger by Crestani...Pepper still struggling, keeps turning over possession.
Connor Bennett
Editor
83' Muangthong straight back to the keeper once again. They're just trying to burn the clock as much as possible here, forcing Brisbane to come up at them and make something happen. Muangthong – 1 Brisbane – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
82' Long ball into back play from Muangthong... and Bilic has come rushing out a long way from his box!! Confidence from the young keeper and he does make the save in the end. Muangthong – 1 Brisbane – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
81' SUBSTITUTION Another change for the home side. Ratchapol makes his way off the park in place of Wattana. Muangthong – 1 Brisbane – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
80' Muangthong looks to have fallen back into defensive mode. They're content with the one-goal lead as they play it slowly up over halfway before sending it straight back. Slow and steady from the home side looking to kill time. Muangthong – 1 Brisbane – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
79' Desperation beginning to set in for the Roar now who need a win. Can they find the back of the net? Muangthong – 1 Brisbane – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
78' Muangthong again finding open space as they create defensive headaches for the Roar on the counter attack. Muangthong – 1 Brisbane – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
77' SUBSTITUTION The goal scorer Xisco has been taken off for Muangthong Muangthong – 1 Brisbane – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
76' Muangthong make light work of the corner with plenty of numbers in hand. Muangthong – 1 Brisbane – 0