Thai teams set sights on group stage

Thai teams set sights on group stage

Chonburi and Bangkok Glass face daunting tasks today in their bids to reach the AFC Champions League group stage.

Bangkok Glass coach Richardo Rodriguez and captain Chatree Chimtalay.

In one-off matches in the third and final play-off round, Thai Premier League runners-up Chonburi are at Beijing Guoan and FA Cup winners Bangkok Glass take on Kashiwa Reysol in Japan.

Chonburi's comprehensive 4-1 defeat of Hong Kong side Kitchee in the second play-off round has left the Thai outfit seeking a third appearance in the group stage of the continental club championship.

Chonburi coach Jadet Meelarp said playing a Japanese side was always tough.

It is tougher as the Sharks have to play in cold conditions, he said.

"But we are not afraid of Kashiwa,'' Jadet said.

"This is a one-off match and anything can happen."

The winners will be in Group E along with South Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Shandong Luneng of China and Vietnamese side Binh Duong.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Glass beat Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta'zim 3-0 with forward Lazarus Kaimbi scoring twice in the previous round and will be seeking their fourth appearance in the group stage.

"We are looking forward to the match,'' said Glass coach Ricardo Rodriguez. "The cold weather here will not be a big problem because we came here many days ago."

The winners will be in Group G along with Australian side Brisbane Roar, Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan and South Korea's Suwon Samsung.

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