Buriram United had to face it's exit of the Champions League 2012 without own assistance. The game against Guangzhou Evergrande was played for honor.

The initial situation before last round of Group H was very clear. Buriram could only make it to the knock-outs by beating Guangzhou at home. At the same time Thailand's representative had to hope Kashiwa would not beat Jeonbuk. Both cases did not happen. The sad thing overall is the faux pas AFC allowed to happen with robbing the match day of any tension. Just remeber, all teams were separated only by three points. But Jeonbuk against Kashiwa was kicked off 90 minutes before the Buriram Guangzhou encounter. At the time Buriram entered his pitch, Kashiwa already lead by 2-0. After more 15 minutes the Thai side had been eliminated from the Champions League 2012. All quick prayers on the part of Newin did not help.

Buriram and his president Newin Chidchob were confident ahead of today's tie against Kashiwa and hoped for one or even three points. It did not came trough and the Thai side lost by one goal. Buriam now is under pressure and needs to go nap on the very last day.

Coach Attaphol Busphakom was sending out his best available team with Ohandza and Achempong up front. Only Apichet Puttan had to be replaced with Jakkrapha Kaewprom. During the first 10 minutes both sides clashed without wasting time on tactics and it promised to become an entertaining encounter. At all events, Burriam defender Ekwalla had a short evening. We named him as a weak spot in our preliminary report and he, unfortunately, did not prove us wrong. Quite early in the game he received his first yellow. After stepping on opponents foot, shortly before half-time, he saw his day work done.

After Chonburi has booked his ticket for the AFC Cup knock-out stage last week, Buriram United could come a step closer to the next round of the Champions League tomorrow. Therefore it would be necessary at least to share points with Japanese representative Kashiwa Reysol.

With a 3-2 victory over the Japanese champion in the first leg, Buriram caused an international uproar. After four rounds played of Group H, and with just 4 points on account, Kashiwa is sitting bottom table and stands with it's back to the wall. A draw or even a defeat and all Champions League dreams would have burst prematurely. As head-to-head counts over goal difference, Kashiwa would be left with nothing.

Buriram wins his second game in the AFC Champions League 2012. After a class performance the Thai side is leading Group H and cause further upset throughout Asia.

Guangzhou Evergrande was Buriram United's opponent on the second day of Group H. In consideration of the financial power of the host, the star players involved and the high-scoring victory of 5-1 over Jeonbuk Motor, Buriram again been left with the role of the underdog before the game. However, neither the home side played well as expected, nor the guests appeared like underdogs and operated like a rabbit caught in the headlights. In our match preview we wrote about of that Buriram need to play the same style of attacking football they did against Kashiwa two weeks before. And, indeed, the guests from Thailand were in the match right from the start.

After a quite surprising victory over Japanese champion Kashiwa Reysol Buriram United meets Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande on the second day of Group H.

On the opening day of group H and away, Guangzhou the Chinese champion of 2011 swept away South Korean representative and last year's AFC CL finalist Jeonbuk Motors by a not less surprising 5-1 win. Besides, the Chinese team is not unknown at all, even if the headlines with one drew attention are all of younger date. The first time the club made into the limelight, or here twilight, was in 2010 as it became known the club had bought promotion to the Chinese top-flight in 2007. Therefore Guangzhou faced enforced relegation, just to return immediately after one year.