AFC Champions League Elite
Eduardo Mancha’s first-half goal was cancelled out by substitute Takashi Usami in the 66th minute to leave the undefeated Japanese outfit on seven points while Buriram, five adrift, were kept waiting for their first win.
Gamba Osaka’s Whelton Felipe fumbled a great chance to put his side ahead in the ninth minute by blasting over in front of an empty goalmouth after connecting with Eli Adam’s cross from the right and with keeper Neil Etheridge focused on Yusei Toshida.
Etheridge made consecutive saves in the 16th minute, first awkwardly spilling Juanpe’s 25-yard strike and, with Toshida pouncing on the loose ball, pulling off a brilliant one-hand second to tip over the striker’s close-range effort.
The visitors were kept on the edge as Gamba Osaka pushed forward but both Shuto Abe and Juanpe went off-target while Ryotaro Meshino wasted Felipe’s good work down the left in the 26th minute by booting over from the centre of the box.
A string of misses followed from the 36th minute - Toshida’s looping header going inches past the right post, Felipe shooting straight at Etheridge from the byline and again Toshida, this time bundling the ball over on tthe right.
The Thai side, however, produced the opener with their first shot on target in the 39th minute when Mancha slipped the ball in from close range after keeper Jun Ichimuri collided with Buriram captain Ken Dougall in a crowded goalmouth, with the goal confirmed after a VAR review.
MD3: Gamba Osaka (JPN) v Buriram United (THA)
Item 1 of 8
Buriram once again netted against the run of play after the break but Guilherme Bissoli’s 49th-minute goal was disallowed for handball following a VAR review.
Gamba Osaka resumed business with three fresh faces, and substitute Usami came to their rescue in the 66th minute when his free-kick from the left floated into the area and was pushed into the net by Etheridge as he attempted to tip it over.
Felipe struck the left post from inside the six-yard box in the 81st minute while Rin Mito’s brilliant try from the left in the same minute was parried away by the Buriram keeper as the home side looked for the winner but had to share points.
Related News
- AFC Champions League Elite
MD3: Kashima Antlers (JPN) 3-0 FC Pohang Steelers (KOR)
- AFC Champions League Elite
Montgomery, Chung share frustration after stalemate
- AFC Champions League Elite
Worrawoot urges Ratchaburi to improve; Rodriguez rues missed chances
- AFC Champions League Elite
Polking proud of Ha Noi’s desire to win
- AFC Champions League Elite
Prats hails Al Shamal’s focus after historic triumph over Al Hilal
Item 1 of 5