AFC Champions League Elite
Buriram head coach Mark Jackson is demanding confidence from his Buriram side while his Shabab Al Ahli counterpart Paulo Sousa expects full commitment after the UAE side advanced to this stage with victory against Tractor FC of Islamic Republic of Iran in the Round of 16.
Buriram are playing at this stage of the competition for the second season running and the English tactician believes they have the quality to go further.
"It’s a very big game for our football club,” said Jackson. “We’re very excited to be here. We’ve overcome many hurdles to reach this stage and we’re here to compete. We are ready to play and challenge our opponents."
"It’s a very big game for our football club,” said Jackson. “We’re very excited to be here. We’ve overcome many hurdles to reach this stage and we’re here to compete. We are ready to play and challenge our opponents."
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“We want to go as far as we can. We are not here to just take part but compete. Every game at this level is difficult. We had the privilege of watching our opponents live and we expect a tough game.
“We looked at our opponents who are individually and collectively of high quality but we are confident in ourselves. Our discipline and structure combined with the individual quality of our players makes us a dangerous team.”
“We looked at our opponents who are individually and collectively of high quality but we are confident in ourselves. Our discipline and structure combined with the individual quality of our players makes us a dangerous team.”
#ACLElite | R16 2nd Leg: Buriram United (THA) 0-0 (1-1 agg: 4-2 PSO) Melbourne City FC (AUS)
Buriram advanced to the quarter-finals following a penalty shoot-out win against Melbourne City FC, having finished fourth in the East Zone League Stage.
In a similar vein, Sousa expects total commitment from Shabab, who showed their pedigree in the 3-0 win against Tractor on Tuesday.
In a similar vein, Sousa expects total commitment from Shabab, who showed their pedigree in the 3-0 win against Tractor on Tuesday.
The former Portuguese midfielder, who won the UEFA Champions League with Borussia Dortmund in 1997, is hopeful that his players will be able to produce the same focus for what he expects will be a tough battle.
“From what we have seen, all the matches are quite balanced and that is what we expect tomorrow,” said Sousa. “We believe the team that we are facing are of a high level, so the challenge will be hard."
“From what we have seen, all the matches are quite balanced and that is what we expect tomorrow,” said Sousa. “We believe the team that we are facing are of a high level, so the challenge will be hard."
#ACLElite | R16 : Tractor FC (IRN) 0-3 Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)
“My colleague at Buriram is doing a very good job. A team that has been very sustainable at all levels. They are one of the best teams that we could face so we have to be very focused and take every opportunity we can.
“Our team will be very focused and will respect everything they have to do. We have to show a lot of desire with and without the ball.”
“Our team will be very focused and will respect everything they have to do. We have to show a lot of desire with and without the ball.”
Buriram United (THA) v Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)
Venue: Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: Saturday, 19:15 (UTC+5)
Venue: Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: Saturday, 19:15 (UTC+5)
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