Buriram United started off with a defeat under their new coach Mark Jackson as the Thunder Castle were beaten 2-1 by Melbourne City in an AFC Champions League Elite encounter at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Australia on Tuesday.
Goran Causic had given the Thai League 1 champions a 72nd-minute lead but new Melbourne City signing Elbasan Rashani cancelled that out in the 84th minute before Max Caputo struck the winner for Aurelio Vidmar’s side deep into stoppage time.
Caputo’s goal moved his team onto three points from three matches in the eastern zone league and level with Buriram United, who have now lost two matches in a row, including their first under new coach Jackson.
Buriram goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was forced to race off his line in the fourth minute to block an early opportunity for Caputo, the Philippines international denying the youngster at close range after Kavian Rahmani’s pass into the area.
Buriram United thought they had taken the lead three minutes into first half stoppage time when Causic nodded in Peter Zulj’s free-kick from the right as it bent towards the target, but the effort was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
Causic found the back of the net with 18 minutes remaining, the Serbian midfielder pouncing to fire into the top corner from close range after Patrick Beach had saved Zulj’s initial effort.
Melbourne City levelled with six minutes remaining when substitute Rashani slammed home a cross from their captain Aziz Behich.
Caputo then slid in to net the winner seven minutes into stoppage time.
Battle of winless sides
Thailand’s Ratchaburi host Eastern FC from Hong Kong with both teams needing a win to keep their knockout stage hopes alive in the Group F of the AFC Champions League Two on Wednesday.
The match will be played at Ratchaburi Stadium and will kick off at 7.15pm.
Ratchaburi are still looking for their first win in the ACL Two, the same as their opponents Eastern FC.