AFC Champions League Elite
Anderson Lopes scored twice after Kenta Inoue had given the hosts an 11th minute lead while a Neil Etheridge own goal and a close range effort from Asahi Uenaka in the 66th minute completed the win for John Hutchison’s side after Sasalak Haiprakhon’s sending off.
Marinos, who lost their opening game of the campaign 7-3 to Gwangju FC, move up to third in the standings with seven points, ahead of Buriram on goal-difference as the Thai League 1 side drop to sixth in the quest for a top eight finish and a place in the knockout rounds.
Lopes should have put the Japanese side in front within the opening two minutes, squandering two chances in quick succession in a frantic start to a game the hosts needed to win to boost their qualification hopes.
The Brazilian was initially denied by a fine save from Etheridge, the Philippines international diving to his left to push the goal-bound shot to safety, and when the ball was delivered back into the six-yard box Lopes put his next effort wide from a yard out.
Takumi Kamijima then steered his attempt narrowly wide of Etheridge’s right post before the action switched to the opposite end, Lucas Crispim and Guilherme Bissoli both denied within seconds of each other by Hiroki Iikura.
The home side claimed first blood in the 11th minute when Carlos Eduardo’s raking cross-field pass from the right of defence found Inoue deep in Buriram territory, and he cut inside to bend an unstoppable right foot shot around Etheridge into the corner.
Buriram’s task became more daunting when referee Adel Al Naqbi showed Sasalak a straight red card in the 27th minute, the defender dismissed for a reckless challenge on Jean Aziangbe that left the Togolese writhing in pain.
Lopes should have punished the shorthanded visitors five minutes later, only to curl his shot wide of Etheridge’s goal, while Kamijima’s header from Yan Matheus’ corner found the hands of the Buriram custodian.
However, Al Naqi pointed to the penalty spot after a review of the pitch side monitor having decided Bissoli handled the ball when Kamijima made contact, setting up Lopes to score having wrongfooted Etheridge.
Matters were only to become worse for Buriram two minutes later when Hijiri Kato’s attempt somehow squirmed through Etheridge’s hands and rolled over the goal line to add to Marinos’ tally.
The home side continued to push after the break with Lopes scoring his side’s fourth on the turn in the 57th minute and Uenaka added to Buriram’s misery as the game approached the final quarter from close range following Kota Mizunuma’s centre.
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