Buriram must stop Diego Forlan in Japan

Buriram, who won a second domestic treble in three years last season, saw their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the continent’s elite club competition for the second year in a row extinguish after failing to win in the first two matches.

The Thai side sit only one place off the bottom on goal difference in Group E after a last-gasp 1-1 draw away to Chinese Super League runners-up Shandong Luneng. Last week, they followed up with a 2-1 defeat at home to Korean outfit Pohang Steelers.

Up against J-League club Cerezo Osaka, Buriram need to come away from the tricky trip to Japan with a positive result if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive.

To be able to do so, Buriram have to chalk up a first away win in Japan after losing 1-0 at Kashima Antlers in 2012 and drawing 1-1 with Vegalta Sendai last year. But, the Thai side’s task look even more daunting after failing to win away from home since a surprise 2-1 triumph at China’s Guangzhou Evergrande two years ago.

The Cerezo Osaka fixture also presents a real test of character for Buriram players following a 3-2 defeat to BEC Tero Sasana at the weekend, their first loss in the league in more than a year, having gone unbeaten last term en route to the title.

Starsports Channel will televise the match live from 5pm.