AFC Champions League Elite
Head coach Toru Oniki started with an unfamiliar line-up and the 2018 title winners were unable to secure their fourth win in a row in the current edition against a Buriram United side that picked up their third draw in four matches.
The result sees Kashima move onto 10 points to sit two points behind compatriots Vissel Kobe in second place in the 16-team standings while Buriram United, under new head coach Raul Caneda, are 12th on three points.
The result sees Kashima move onto 10 points to sit two points behind compatriots Vissel Kobe in second place in the 16-team standings while Buriram United, under new head coach Raul Caneda, are 12th on three points.
.JPG?w=2400&q=80)
Oniki started with several of his first choice players on the bench but the Japanese outfit still looked the more likely to open the scoring throughout the first half.
Homare Takuda pulled a 16th minute shot wide of the target while Haruki Hayashi scuffed his attempt three minutes later as Kashima showed promised without seriously threatening the Buriram United goal.
Homare Takuda pulled a 16th minute shot wide of the target while Haruki Hayashi scuffed his attempt three minutes later as Kashima showed promised without seriously threatening the Buriram United goal.
.JPG?w=2400&q=80)
That changed in the 29th minute when Hayashi was found on the left side of the penalty area and had the time and space to pull the ball back to Minato Yoshida, but his first-time strike from 10 yards out was kept out by Neil Etheridge’s left knee.
Etheridge was on hand to deny Kashima again six minutes later, the Buriram United goalkeeper this time punching Hayashi’s header to safety as the midfielder bore down on goal.
The hosts struggled to impose themselves on Kashima and had to wait until stoppage time in the first half for a serious sight of goal when Goran Causic let fly from distance, the Serbian midfielder’s shot taking a deflection that steered the ball just wide.
Etheridge was on hand to deny Kashima again six minutes later, the Buriram United goalkeeper this time punching Hayashi’s header to safety as the midfielder bore down on goal.
The hosts struggled to impose themselves on Kashima and had to wait until stoppage time in the first half for a serious sight of goal when Goran Causic let fly from distance, the Serbian midfielder’s shot taking a deflection that steered the ball just wide.
MD4: Buriram United (THA) v Kashima Antlers (JPN)
.JPG?q=80){kind=spacer}
.JPG?q=80){kind=spacer}
.JPG?q=80){kind=spacer}
.JPG?q=80){kind=spacer}
.JPG?q=80){kind=spacer}
.JPG?q=80){kind=spacer}
.JPG?q=80){kind=spacer}
Item 1 of 8
Oniki introduced Leo Ceara in the 56th minute for Tokuda and the striker almost gave the visitors the lead six minutes later, forcing Etheridge into a save at his near post with a powerfully struck right-foot shot.
The Brazilian tried his luck again in the 79th minute with a strike that was off target and his attempt from further out two minutes later was wilder still as the J1 League outfit sought the winner.
The Brazilian tried his luck again in the 79th minute with a strike that was off target and his attempt from further out two minutes later was wilder still as the J1 League outfit sought the winner.
.JPG?w=2400&q=80)
With a little over three minutes remaining it was Buriram United who almost claimed the points.
Substitute Sebas Moyano released Wanderson down the left side of the Kashima penalty area and his pull back into the penalty area found Causic in space but the midfielder’s first-time right-foot effort was deflected wide and the points were shared.
Substitute Sebas Moyano released Wanderson down the left side of the Kashima penalty area and his pull back into the penalty area found Causic in space but the midfielder’s first-time right-foot effort was deflected wide and the points were shared.
Related News
- AFC Champions League Elite
MD4: FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) 3-3 Gamba Osaka (JPN)
- AFC Champions League Elite
Polking rues missed opportunity for Ha Noi
- AFC Champions League Elite
Bandovic revels in Port’s success
- AFC Champions League Elite
Jeonbuk showed class, says Mota
- AFC Champions League Elite
Skibbe hails Kobe’s perfect response
Item 1 of 5