AFC Champions League Elite
Guilherme Bissoli had crashed in an unstoppable strike in the 37th minute at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium to give the Thai League 1 champions the lead but Marcus Younis’ run set up substitute Mazzeo to nod in the equaliser five minutes into stoppage time.
Buriram United will be looking to reach the quarter-finals for the second season in a row while Melbourne City will be attempting to extend their first-ever run in the competition’s knockout rounds.
The visitors had the first sight of goal in the 10th minute when Robert Zulj swung his free kick from the right towards the target and, when the defence only half cleared, Peter Zulj launched his shot high and wide.
Five minutes later Neil Etheridge was called into action when Daniel Arzani’s free kick was swung into the Thai side’s penalty area and the ball eventually landed at the feet of Samuel Souprayen, whose shot the Buriram United goalkeeper parried to safety.
Peter Zulj’s attempt from distance caused Patrick Beach few issues while Medin Memeti fired over the bar for Melbourne City before Supachai Jaided’s attempt was blocked as the opening half threatened to end in stalemate.
But with eight minutes remaining Bissoli put Buriram United ahead with a strike of the highest quality.
Schindler cut inside from the right touchline to clip the ball into the penalty area and Bissoli quickly latched onto the pass on the right side of the box, unleashing a devastating first-time strike that seared into the top corner, giving Beach no chance.
Aziz Behich’s attempt to beat Etheridge at his near post with a low strike on the left of the penalty area caused the Philippines international few issues seven minutes into the second half.
But Arzani should have levelled with 21 minutes remaining when Marcus Younis burst down the right flank before cutting the ball across the face of goal only for Arzani to somehow slice his attempt well wide.
Beach kept out Peter Zulj’s free kick from distance with seven minutes left and Bissoli was inches away from a second with four minutes left but the Brazilian’s header bounced the wrong side of the left post.
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