Muang Thong United hope for a miracle against Guangzhou

Slavisa Jokanovic’s side must take maximum points at home against the China Super League champions, who thrashed them 4-0 last week in Guangzhou to leave them rooted to the bottom of the group with only a single point from three matches.

Failing to do so would spell an end to Muang Thong’s first journey in the continent’s premier club competition.

Despite enjoying home advantage, the Thais’ chances of recording their first ever win in the event look bleak as they face a Chinese outfit who, under the guidance of World Cup winning coach Marcelo Lippi, top the table with seven points.

The odds have lengthened further given that Muang Thong will be without top striker Teerasil Dangda, who was ruled out of the game at the SCG stadium after picking up a yellow card last week.

But after his charges extending their winning start to the domestic league campaign with a 2-0 victory away to Ratchaburi at the weekend to make it five wins out of five, Serbian coach Jokanovic, was in defiant mood that his side could prosper in adversity.

“It’s a do-or-die match for us. We’ll face one of the best attacking teams in Asia. We have no choice but to attack from the start. I’m confident my team will play well because we’re at home. In fact, we actually did well last week,” said the Serbian, who steered Muang Thong to their third league title in four years last season with an unbeaten record. 

Jokanovic admitted the loss of Teerasil gave him another headache after he had to leave the national striker on the bench last week following his late arrival in China. 

“Without Teerasil, it’s surely a problem for us because he’s an important member of our team. Nevertheless, we’ll try to handle the situation whatever the circumstances.”

Buriram United, the other TPL representatives in the competition, will take on another Chinese side, Jiangsu Sainty, at home in Group E tomorrow.  

After today and tomorrow’s games, six clubs could have secured their places in the last 16 while another six could be eliminated. Only the top two in each four-team group will reach next month’s two-legged knock-out round.

With Argentine midfielder Dario Conca feeding a potent strikeforce featuring Brazil’s Muriqui and Lucas Barrios, Guangzhou seem certain to progress as they bid to become China’s first winners of the competition, now in its 11th year.

However Lippi, tipped as a potential successor to Jose Antonio Camacho as boss of China’s struggling national team, remained guarded ahead of this week’s difficult trip to Muangthong’s Thunderdome Stadium in provincial Thailand.

“There are still many uncertainties regarding final qualification from the group,” he told the South China Morning Post.

“The next match will be a very tough away game,” Lippi added. “It’s always tough to play at another team’s home.”

Jeonbuk stunned Urawa 3-1 away last week and a second successive win against their fellow former Asian champions would solidify second spot for the Korean club in Group F, behind Guangzhou.

Japan’s Kashiwa can progress with just a draw against Suwon Bluewings in Group H, if China’s Guizhou Renhe fail to avenge last week’s defeat to Central Coast Mariners of Australia.

Korean champions FC Seoul can qualify from Group E, but J-League winners Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s Group G campaign will be over if they lose to Pohang Steelers and there is a winner in Beijing Guoan’s game against Bunyodkor.

In West Asia, last year’s runners-up Al Ahli need only a draw against Iran’s Sepahan to go through, with Al Shabab and Esteghlal also capable of reaching the knock-out stages this week.