Buriram: Thai champions Buriram United are boosted by the return from suspension of captain Suchao Nutnum and Venezuela defender Andres Tunez as Alexandre Gama’s side seek to kick-start their AFC Champions League Group F campaign with the visit of Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima to Buriram Stadium on Tuesday.
Both key members for the first team, with Tunez having played every one of Buriram’s 2016 Thai Premier League campaign so far, the pair missed out on last month’s 3-0 defeat in Japan after Tunez (pictured, right) had received his second yellow card of the tournament in Matchday Two and Nutnum completed the second of his two-match ban.
And Nutnum and Tunez were both named in the squad for Saturday’s 3-1 win over Pattaya United with the Venezuelan scoring his league-leading fifth goal of the season.
“I believe we are ready for this important AFC Champions League game against Sanfrecce Hiroshima because we will have Suchao Nutnum and Andres Tunez back to the team after being suspended and they will help us return to our usual style of play,” said Buriram coach Gama, whose side are yet to pick up a point in their 2016 continental campaign after three straight defeats.
“I predict that we will be able to get the win on Tuesday and it will show everyone that Buriram United deserve to play in the AFC Champions League tournament and we are here on merit.”
Last month’s points at home to Buriram represented Sanfrecce’s first of the campaign and Hajime Moriyasu’s side will want to avoid a third defeat in Group F to make up the gap on second placed Shandong Luneng and leaders FC Seoul.
Sanfrecce have also won their last two outings in the J.League since their AFC Champions League Matchday Three win over Buriram with a 5-1 away win over Omiya Ardija last month and a 3-0 victory at home to Vegalta Sendai on Friday.
“Tuesday’s match will certainly be difficult for our team, however it’s clear that we’ll really need to get the three points,” said Sanfrecce coach Moriyasu.
“Having lost their last three AFC Champions League games, though, we know Buriram United will be focusing on a big improvement and doing their best in this match.
“It’s clear that the weather will have an effect on our team, but we have already prepared to play in hot weather and we are hopeful that our team can claim the victory.”
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