A injury-time header from Mahmoud Eid helped Bangkok United hold visitors Yokohama F Marinos to a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first leg of the AFC Champions League round of 16 at Thammasat Stadium on Wednesday night.
Elber and Kota Watanabe gave Yokohama a 2-0 lead in Harry Kewell's first competitive game in charge of the J1 league club, but hosts Bangkok halved the deficit through Nitipong Selanon before substitute Eid rescued a late draw for the Thai League 1 leaders in the 92nd minute of the match.
The two teams will meet again in the second leg in Yokohama next Wednesday with a place in the quarter-finals of the continental showpiece on the line.
Elber opened the scoring from a corner after 18 minutes. With his back to the goal, the Brazilian forward side-footed the loose ball into the net.
Six minutes later, a Ren Kato cross from the left found the unmarked Watanabe, who scored from point-blank range.
Nitipong pulled a goal back for the Angels on 35 minutes.
As the game headed into injury time, Eid muscled his way to the edge of the area, lost the ball and was knocked to the turf before regaining his feet and heading in a cross.
The match ended with Marinos' Ken Matsubara getting sent off in the final seconds for knocking Bangkok United's Vander Luis off his feet.
Buriram rout Sukhothai
Buriram United overwhelmed Sukhothai 4-0 on Wednesday to close gap on Thai League 1 leaders Bangkok United.
The victory saw Arthur Papas' Thunder Castle moved to 36 points from 17 matches, one behind the Angels, who have a game in hand.
Buriram got the goals from Guilherme Bissoli on 47 and 89 minutes, Naruebodin Weerawatnodom on 78 minutes and Ratthanakorn Maikami in the 80th minute.
Both teams ended the match with 10 men after Sukhothai's Ryohei Arai got sent off after just 15 minutes and Buriram's Lucas Crispim received his marching order in the first half injury time.
In other games, Port edged Muang Thong United in a 4-3 thriller, with a stoppage-time winner from Barros Tardelli at PAT stadium while hosts Chonburi picked up three points after beating Police Tero FC 4-2.
Srettha's support
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin promised all-out support for the Football Association of Thailand as it gears up to host the 2024 Fifa Congress in May.
Thailand will be the first Asean nation and only the fifth in Asia to host the Congress, which will feature 211 participating countries.
Newly-elected FAT president Nualphan Lamsam said the PM assured the event will receive full backing from the government during a meeting on Thursday.
"Fifa Congress is the sport governing body's biggest event outside of tournaments. Today I had a chance to meet with PM Srettha to discuss about the matter for the first time and he assured me that we will have full support from the government," said Nualphan.
The 72th Fifa Congress will take place at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center between May 13-17.
FAT chief Nualphan Lamsam, second left, presents Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin with a bouquet of flowers as he celebrates his 62nd birthday on Thursday. Also pictured is Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, second right.