Buriram's Theerathon ready to take on Diego Forlan
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Buriram United left-back Theerathon Bunmathan is unfazed by the prospect of taking on former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan in the AFC Champions League, which kicks off next month.
The Uruguayan veteran is set to join J-League club Cerezo Osaka, who have been placed alongside treble winners Buriram, South Korea’s Pohang Steelers and Shandong Luneng of China in Group E of the continent’s elite club competition.
Rather than feeling overawed by the prospect of facing the 34-year-old Uruguayan – one of the most clinical strikers during his heady days – the 23-year-old Theerathon said he was relishing the challenge.
“I’m not concerned at all. I think he’s too old now. Given his age, he won’t be running as fast as before. I think I can handle him,” said Theerathon, who last month helped the national under-23 side reclaim the SEA Games title in Myanmar. He also played a starring role in helping Buriram claim the treble last season.
The departure of rock-solid Spanish defender Osmar Ibanez to Korean outfit FC Seoul has left a void at the heart of the Buriram defence, but Theerathon is confident it can be filled.
“The team has adjusted to the loss of Ibanez. Things seem to have fallen into place. I don’t think we will have a problem. We’ll begin our campaign against Muang Thong United in the King’s Trophy match [a traditional curtain-raiser to the start of the domestic season]. No matter the hurdles, we’ll try to win the title.”
Buriram, who last season made it through to the Champions League quarter-finals before going out at the hands of Esteghlal of Iran, will open their campaign with a visit to Shandong on February 25.
Dante dismisses Man Utd talk
Bayern Munich defender Dante has dismissed reports Manchester United are interested in signing the Brazil centre-back from Germany’s European and Club World Cup champions.
United need a new central defender with the future of veterans Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic unclear, but Dante has said he is not the man for the job.
“I have said a thousand times that I feel comfortable here,” the 30-year-old defender, who won the first of his 10 caps for Brazil in January 2013, said in Munich.
“I have only got Bayern Munich in my head.” Dante flatly denied reports he has been approached by David Moyes’ United in the January transfer window with a clear “no!”.
