Brisbane Roar will become the first Australian side to play Thai Champions Muangthong United. Here’s an opportunity to learn a bit more about tonight’s opponents.
Purchase your tickets to tonight’s AFC Champions League match through Ticketek HERE .
Check out our full PREVIEW of Muangthong United’s first trip to Brisbane Stadium.
Brisbane Roar
- While Brisbane Roar thrashed Filipinos side Global FC 6-0 during the playoffs, they have yet to win a home match in the group stage of the AFC Champions League, drawing two and losing four of their previous six games at Brisbane Stadium.
- Brisbane’s only previous game in the competition against a Thai club was a playoff tie against Buriram United in 2013. They drew 0-0 but were eliminated on penalties.
- Striker Brendon Borello has been in good scoring form for the Roar in the AFC Champions League, netting four goals in the win against Global and opening the scoring after two minutes in the 2-0 victory at Shanghai Shenhua.
- Brisbane’s other goal in the win at Shanghai was netted by Tommy Oar.
- Australian-born Greece international defender Avram Papdopoulous joined the club this month as an injury replacement for Daniel Bowles, who unfortunately has undergone surgery after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.
Domestic form
Brisbane Roar drew their third consecutive game in the Hyundai A-League when they were held 2-2 by Perth Glory on Saturday. They are currently fourth on the table.
Muangthong United
- Muangthong United are looking to become just the third Thai club to progress to the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League after BEC Tero Sasana, who reached the final in 2003, and Buriram United, who got to the quarter-finals in 2013.
- The current squad is much changed from the one that played in the group stage in 2013 with striker Teerasil Dangda the only notable returning player. Muangthong managed only a single point from their six group games in that campaign.
- The Thai club added some AFC Champions League-winning experience with the recent signing of Korea Republic midfielder Lee Ho. The 32-year-old won the competition with Ulsan Hyundai in 2012 and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors last year.
- Muangthong have several Thailand internationals in their squad including seven who started for the national team in the AFF Suzuki Cup final victory last year (Teerasil, goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan, defenders Tristan Do, Adison Promrak and Theerathon Bunmathan and midfielders Sarach Yooyen and Chanathip Songkrasin).
Domestic form
Muangthong have made a good start to new Thai League season, beating Bangkok Glass 4-0 on 11 February and Sukothai FC 1-0 last Friday in their first two matches.
