AFC Champions League Elite
Custodian Etheridge stepped up after the match at Buriram Stadium - which saw both sides reduced to 10 men - ended in a goalless stalemate after 120 minutes, having played to a 1-1 draw in last week’s first leg.
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An evenly-contested opening 15 minutes saw Melbourne City’s Nathaniel Atkinson and Buriram United’s Kingsley Schindler blasting their attempts over the bar as both sides looked to stamp their authority on the match.
Patrick Beach had his first taste of action in the 17th minute when the Melbourne City custodian punched the ball away before Goran Causic could get his head to it, with Peter Zulj sending it skywards with his follow-up.
Patrick Beach had his first taste of action in the 17th minute when the Melbourne City custodian punched the ball away before Goran Causic could get his head to it, with Peter Zulj sending it skywards with his follow-up.
Buriram United were then dealt a major blow when Robert Zulj was sent off for violent conduct following his foul on Harrison Shillington, with the hosts down to 10 men just 21 minutes in.
Melbourne City, however, failed to maximise their numerical advantage and with their opponents sitting deep, only Daniel Arzani came close to an opening goal when he forced a panicky save from Etheridge in the 31st minute.
Melbourne City, however, failed to maximise their numerical advantage and with their opponents sitting deep, only Daniel Arzani came close to an opening goal when he forced a panicky save from Etheridge in the 31st minute.
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The Thai League 1 champions showed their determination to advance when Bissoli forced a save from Beach three minutes into the second half while an overhead kick by Marcus Younis on the other end that whizzed past the right post signalled the visitors’ intent.
Despite the dominance, Melbourne City created no clear openings but the A-League side thought they had taken the lead in the 74th minute from an Atkinson strike only for the defender to be ruled offside.
Etheridge made a save from substitute Max Caputo in the dying minutes of regulation time and the Buriram custodian was then yellow-carded for misconduct against the striker as the tie went into an additional 30 minutes.
Despite the dominance, Melbourne City created no clear openings but the A-League side thought they had taken the lead in the 74th minute from an Atkinson strike only for the defender to be ruled offside.
Etheridge made a save from substitute Max Caputo in the dying minutes of regulation time and the Buriram custodian was then yellow-carded for misconduct against the striker as the tie went into an additional 30 minutes.
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Caputo could have settled the outcome in the first minute of extra time but dragged his shot to the right with only the Buriram United keeper in his way as Melbourne City went all out, with Etheridge then making consecutive saves from Younis and Elbasan Rashani.
There was more drama as Melbourne City’s German Ferreyra was flashed the red card for a tussle with Ruben Sanchez in the 119th minute before Kenneth Dougall booted the ball into the stands as extra time produced no goals and the tie went to the shootout.
There was more drama as Melbourne City’s German Ferreyra was flashed the red card for a tussle with Ruben Sanchez in the 119th minute before Kenneth Dougall booted the ball into the stands as extra time produced no goals and the tie went to the shootout.
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Etheridge went the right way to save from Ryan Teague’s spot-kick and then did the same to deny Aziz Behich before Dougall found the bottom right corner to send Buriram United to their second consecutive quarter-finals.
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