Chiang Rai take on Beijing, hope for first win of season

Chiang Rai take on Beijing, hope for first win of season

Chiang Rai United's Bill Rosimar, centre, takes part in a training session on Monday.
Chiang Rai United's Bill Rosimar, centre, takes part in a training session on Monday.

Thai League 1 champions Chiang Rai United will be looking for their first competitive win of the season when they host Beijing Guoan in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

The Beetles lost 1-0 at Melbourne Victory in their Group E opener of the ACL last Tuesday.

They began the defence of the their Thai League 1 title with a dismal 1-1 draw at Samut Prakan City on Friday.

Bill Rosimar, Chiang Rai's top scorer in 2019, will again be the focal point of the Beetles' attack with the Brazilian scoring 14 goals in the run to their first ever Thai League 1 title.

"This will be an important match for our team. We lost the first match last week so this week we have to win," Chiang Rai coach Masami Taki told a press conference on Monday.

"Beijing are good and strong. But we will be playing at home and our aim is to take three points."

Chiang Rai winger Chaiyawat Buran said: "For me, Thai and Chinese players are not much different although they have a good Brazilian player in Renato Augusto.

"We are the underdogs but we are confident that if we can play according to our plan we can beat them."

Beijing have won three of their four games against Thai teams in the ACL, scoring an average of three goals per game.

The only exception was their defeat in an away game against Krung Thai Bank in 2008.

Beijing are taking part in the ACL for the ninth time.

However, they are yet to progress beyond the last 16 and will look for a positive start to their 2020 campaign.

In today's other Group E game, FC Seoul are at home to Melbourne Victory.

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