Evergrande reaches last 16 in AFC Champions league thriller

Guangzhou Evergrande's Dario Conca scores against Buriram United after the AFC Champions League Group H soccer match at Buriram Stadium, Buriram province, Thailand, May 15, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

BURIRAM, Thailand - Guangzhou Evergrande, China's only hope for AFC Champions League, escaped the Thunder Castle Stadium of Thailand's Buriram United with a late 2-1 win on Tuesday.

Guangzhou had to win the game to advance to the last 16 since Japanese champions Kashiwa Reysol finished 2-0 over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to reserve a seat in the final 16 in South Korea.

"I told the news to our team during half break and changed our strategy. Althoug it was risky, we had no choice in order to win," said Guangzhou's coach Lee Jang-soo.

Guangzhou Evergrande's Gao Lin celebrates after scoring the 1-0 lead against Buriram United during the AFC Champions League Group H soccer match at Buriram Stadium, Buriram province, Thailand, May 15, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

After the goalless first half, both teams shifted focus to attack in the second half. Guangzhou's striker Gao Lin opened scoring after Argentine midfielder Dario Conca dished out a pinpoint pass at the beginning of the second half, concluding his 3-month goalless period, only to see Buriram's Suriya equalized 10 minutes later.

Conca, who was suspended until this game, made the final blow with a penalty goal. The goal came at the 88th minute, leaving Buriram not enough time to turn the tide again.

Conca was given a fine of one million yuan and suspension of nine matches after posting micro blogs questioning the coach's decision to take him off the pitch in the previous AFC Champions League game.

"Now that Conca has played in this game, we can say that his suspension has ended here," Lee said. Conca had been suspended two matches.

Buriram's head coach Attaphol Buspakom said it was a pity that they lost the game. "We had many opportunities but Evergrande's goal keeper and backs played well."

Lee also agreed the match was very tough. "We were in the group of death. Every competitor was the champion of their own league," he said.

Supporters of Guangzhou Evergrande cheer for their team during the AFC Champions League Group H soccer match against Buriram United at Buriram Stadium, Buriram province, Thailand, May 15, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Shops were closed and streets were almost empty in Buriram, seat of northeastern Buriam province, Sunday afternoon and evening. Almost all traffic in the city of about 30,000 people was heading to the 24,000-seat Thunder Castle Stadium.

A thunder storm started to pour just as the game began. But deafening cheers in Thunder Castle turned flash bolts into silent background. Over half an hour after the game, Buriram's fans kept cheering to the rain.

Guangzhou Evergrande's Sun Xiang (L) and Zhao Xuri celebrate their winning against Buriram United after the AFC Champions League Group H soccer match at Buriram Stadium, Buriram province, Thailand, May 15, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]