Chonburi chill ahead of Korean clash
Chonburi FC coach Withaya Laohakul believes his side can overcome the freezing temperatures in South Korea when they take on K-League outfit Pohang Steelers in the AFC Champions League qualifying playoff tomorrow.
The Thailand Premier League runners-up earned a crack at a place in the lucrative group stage of Asia’s elite club competition after Buriram PEA completed a historic domestic treble last season including the FA Cup, which gives the winners a playoff spot.
The one-off tie against three-time Champion League winners Pohang hands Chonburi a chance to reach the competition proper, following their debut campaign in 2008 when they were eliminated in the group stage.
But the Thai side’s prospects have been complicated by the weather conditions, with temperatures hovering just above freezing.
After leading the squad in chilly temperatures of 3 degrees Celsius for their first training session in Korea, Withaya believes the conditions will not play a factor in the game at the Pohang Steelyard stadium.
“I’m not worried about the weather. If the players warmup properly, they will be okay. And we still have two more days to acclimatise, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
A draw after 90 minutes would send the game into 30 minutes of extra time, with a penalty shootout required if the scores stay level.
The winners will enter Group G alongside Australia’s Adelaide United, Gamba Osaka of Japan and Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor, while the losing side drop to the AFC Cup group stage.
TPL champions Buriram have been drawn in Group H along with China’s Guangzhou Evergrande, K-League outfit Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and JLeague winners Kashiwa Reysol.
