Bangkok United coach Totchtawan Sripan admitted the stronger side went through as Yokohama F Marinos secured their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League with a 1-0 victory in the last 16 second leg match in Japan on Wednesday night.
Brazilian Anderson Lopes converted a penalty in added time at the end of extra time to settle a tight game played in difficult conditions as Harry Kewell's Yokohama progressed 3-2 on aggregate following a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Bangkok.
Yokohama will play China's Shandong Taishan, who overcame Kawasaki Frontale 6-5 on aggregate, in the quarter-finals next month.
"First of all, we have to admit that we came up against a very high quality team," said Totchtawan. "We tried to compete but with the quality that they had, we were forced into a defensive mode even though that was not our plan.
"Our initial plan was to find a chance in the first 90 minutes to win it but with the tempo of the game, we obviously got tired towards the end."
Yokohama failed to find a way through the Bangkok defence for more than 120 minutes before Lopes's penalty sent Angels goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai the wrong way to win the game.
The Angels, the only Southeast Asian team to have advanced to the knockout stage, offered stiff resistance thanks largely to the heroics of centre-back Everton Goncalves and goalkeeper Patiwat.
"It was difficult but it makes it worth it when you do create something special for the club by progressing into the final eight," said Kewell. "We're looking forward to the challenge."
Bangkok United will turn their focus to the Thai League 1 title race when they visit BG Pathum United on Sunday.
The Angels are second on 38 points, one behind leaders Buriram United, but have a game in hand.
In the only Thai League 1 game today, Nakhon Pathom host Muang Thong United. The match kicks off at 7pm. bangkok post/agencies