Football Tribe SEA Editor
Seven-time Thai League Champions Buriram United are set to play Chinese Super League giants Shanghai SIPG in the final qualification round of the AFC Champions League.
However, the confederation announced that the match would have to be played behind closed doors after the outbreak of the coronavirus in the Chinese province of Wuhan. This move was taken to ensure the fans’ safety.
This will be the first football match to be played in China since the outbreak of the virus, and the decision to go ahead with it has drawn criticism from fans. Some have suggested that playing at a neutral venue would be the better choice in regards to player safety, but the AFC has decided that the game will be played in the Shanghai Stadium.
Buriram qualified for this round after a home victory over Ho Chi Minh City FC, while this will be the first competitive match for Vitor Pereira’s Shanghai squad this season. While the hosts will need to make sure they can turn up the heat after limited preparation time, while fatigue from certain members of the Buriram squad such as Supachok Sarachart or Suphanat Mueanta after their National Team exploits could weigh the visitors down.
Bozidar Bandovic’s side has shown a willingness to play compact and disciplined football on the road in the Champions League, a system that saw them reach the tournament’s knockout stage in 2018. Meanwhile, Shanghai’s run to the quarter-finals of last years’ tournament and their narrow away-goals defeat to Urawa Red Diamonds shows that they are certainly among Asia’s elite.
The Thunder Castle will have to be at their best if they hope to overcome one of the strongest sides in Asia and become the first Thai team ever to make it through the AFC Champions League qualifying rounds.