HASEGAWA HAILS GAMBA'S UNITY IN WIN AGAINST BURIRAM

Buriram: Coach Kenta Hasegawa hailed the “unity” shown by his Gamba Osaka players as they overcame previously undefeated Group F leaders Buriram United in Tuesday’s 2-1 comeback victory in Thailand that secured the J.League treble winners their first win of the 2015 AFC Champions League.

Substitute Kotaro Omori was on target three minutes from time at Buriram Stadium to end Gamba’s run of three successive defeats on the continent and keep alive their hopes of a place in the Round of 16 with two matches remaining in the group stage.

Theerathon Bunmathan had put Buriram a goal up inside the opening 10 minutes with a stunning strike direct from a corner, before Brazilian striker Lins levelled for the visitors against the run of the play five minutes before the interval with Omori’s late show sealing all three points for Hasegawa’s side.

“This game was very tough, the weather is very hot and Buriram, who are a strong team, put in a very good performance,” said Gamba coach Hasegawa, whose team will face China’s Guangzhou R&F in a fortnight’s time in their penultimate group game.

“All my players are exhausted but due to our unity we helped each other to win this game. And an important thing is our fans.

“We hope to pass to the knockout stage and qualify for the Round of 16.”

A goalless draw between Korea Republic’s Seongnam FC and China’s Guangzhou R&F in the group’s earlier game, sees Buriram now share first place with the Korean FA Cup holders on seven points, with Gamba and Guangzhou three points further back.

And Buriram will next travel to the home of Korean FA Cup winners Seongnam in two weeks’ time for their penultimate Group F fixture, although coach Alexandre Gama will be looking for an improved performance from his profligate firing line.

“We knew that this is would be a hard game, but we prepared to be the winner in the final round. As you can see, we had many opportunities but we could not succeed. And the score is important for football,” said Buriram coach Gama.

“Gamba gained the opportunities to close the game, and of course we are not happy with the result today.

“However, I believe we still have a chance to qualify because there are only two games left and we are on top of the group."